The Lions and Jets are facing off in a matchup pitting two teams which had top-five picks in the most recent draft against one another. While reflecting on Detroit’s approach this past April, Lions coach Dan Campbell made it known that the Jets’ top pick was never on their radar. 
When speaking about the possibility of selecting cornerback Ahmad Gardner second overall, Campbell admitted that he was not the subject of serious consideration. “We thought about a lot of different guys, but I never really felt it went there for [general manager] Brad [Holmes] and myself,” he said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “We felt pretty comfortable with where we wanted to go with it.”
That, of course, is a reference to Detroit’s intention of adding to their pass rush with their top selection. Aidan Hutchinson allowed them to do just that, after a highly productive career at Michigan. The 22-year-old has been the subject of criticism after his inability to follow-up his Week 2 performance with more multi-sack games, but he leads all rookies with seven on the year. He has added 23 pressures, six tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions, making him a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year and leading to expectations that he will be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
The same also holds true of Gardner, though, considering the start he has had to his NFL career. The Jets selected the Bearcats alum fourth overall, after he established himself as arguably the top corner in the class. The 6-3, 200-pounder has been an immediate every-down starter in New York, and has racked up two interceptions and a league-leading 16 pass deflections during the campaign. He has been a standout in coverage as well, allowing a completion percentage of just over 52%.
Like Hutchinson, Gardner is a Michigan native, so Detroit choosing the latter would have carried a similar storyline to the one developed by taking the former. Birkett notes that the Lions had scheduled a visit with Gardner, but that never took place. Keeping their attention on Hutchinson allowed them to maintain a starting duo of Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye at corner. The latter has struggled considerably compared to his breakout campaign last season, though, and the Lions’ defense has been among the league’s worst all year.
Nevertheless, both teams are likely satisfied with how the top of the draft board shook out, and they are each in contention for a postseason berth entering the final few weeks of the campaign.
The man’s name is Sauce
The subject of criticism because he only has 7 sacks? Lol Why not just let Hutchison develop. He’s had a very good rookie year thus far
Ok? I’d say Hutchinson is doing just fine
Give Hutchison time. As a Buckeyes fan he was a nightmare to face he reminded me of TTUN’s version of one of the Bosa brothers. I think this is a case where both teams should be very happy about the guys they drafted.
Who the hell calls him Ahmad
Adults.
The Lions were the one team of the top 3 in the draft who clearly made a smart choice.
I don’t understand why this is a story. What, are the Lions supposed to go back in time and reconsider? I do not understand the point that the reporter was asking Campbell there. Nobody can tell for sure how players will turn out. Teams pick they will work out or fill a need at the time. Sometimes you can tell certain picks are bad or good, of course. But it’s still uncertain ultimately, and doing so purely from hindsight is a weak and cowardly means of evaluating decision making. You have to consider what people knew at the time, and waving that in someone’s face is low level analysis.
Oh yeah, and Aidan Hutchinson happens to be pretty good, too. If that matters.
I was worried how Hutchinson would be able to produce after watching him get absolutely shutdown by Jamaree Salyer in the playoffs last season, but I’m certainly glad he’s proved me wrong this far.
So far, he’s been an excellent pickup for the Lions, they just need more help on the backend..
Campbell has this team heading in the right direction, hopefully they’ll finally he able to put everything together after increasing their overall talent and depth thus upcoming offseason.
The fact that they never even considered him is the story here. Frankly, it’s a big red flag for the Lions front office. It’s their job to dig as deeply as possible into every available option..not just fall in love with the local guy.
Just because they didn’t consider him does not mean that Gardner was not evaluated. The Lions needed front seven investment, and had the number two pick. They knew who they wanted, I doubt they simply refused to evaluate Gardner at all.
The “Campbell is a clown” guy is awfully quiet lately.