Aidan Hutchinson Has The Potential To Have One Of The 'Biggest Impacts' On 2023 NFL Season
The No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL draft turned heads in his rookie season last year as a Detroit Lion. Aidan Hutchinson tallied 52 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and three interceptions on his way to winning the NFL Pepsi Rookie of the Year.
Not only did Hutchinson have a big year, but the Lions were a competitive team a season ago, and the hype surrounding Detroit is big entering 2023. It's not a surprise CBS Sports had Hutchinson on their top 10 defenders who could impact the 2023 season list.
Detroit's hometown standout wasn't necessarily as imposing as other pass rushers in his class; Travon Walker and Kayvon Thibodeaux both have freaky upside. But he still managed 9.5 sacks as a rookie, and now he's on a much better defense that should have improved secondary support. A breakout feels possible as the Lions look to finally storm the NFC North.
But we need to focus on this sentence right here: Detroit's hometown standout wasn't necessarily as imposing as other pass rushers in his class; Travon Walker and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Yes, both of them do possess 'freaky upside', but so does Hutchinson, and quite frankly -- Hutchinson was a better pass rusher in college.
In 2021, the last season in college for all three players, Hutchinson had 14 sacks, which was the third-most in college that year. Georgia's Travon Walker had six sacks, and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux had seven sacks -- Hutchinson had more than both combined.
Not only did Hutchinson have more sacks in 2021 than both, but he stepped up when it really mattered against Ohio State. The Wolverine legend had three sacks against C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes which helped lead Michigan to a big-time win against Ohio State.
If Hutchinson can continue to progress, as he did in college, he has the ability to be one of the best edge defenders in the NFL.
