Ranking Lions' 2022 Draft Needs

Following free agency, here are the needs of the Detroit Lions that should be filled in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Through free agency, the Detroit Lions have begun to address some needs on their roster, leading into the 2022 season.

For a team that went 3-13-1 in 2021, the Lions have plenty positions of need. There are vast improvements to be made, something general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have addressed in media sessions throughout the offseason.

But, what exactly are the team’s most pressing needs?

Here is a comprehensive ranking of the team’s needs, as Detroit nears the NFL Draft (April 28-30).

6.) Tight end

The Lions have a budding star at this position in T.J. Hockenson, yet leave a lot to be desired when it comes to depth. Last season, Hockenson performed well, but was lost for the season after suffering a hand injury in Week 13.

Even when he was active, he dealt with intense and increased coverage from opposing defenses, due to a lack of options at his position.

In his absence, Detroit rotated between undrafted free agents Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra. Both were serviceable, but not ideal when it comes to being a long-term second option.

The Lions shouldn’t target a tight end early in the draft. But, with nine selections, this is an area they can definitely address. By getting another weapon beside Hockenson, Campbell and company could lighten the load on the Iowa product and create more issues for opponents.

5.) Quarterback

Detroit’s current quarterbacks room, paired with the status of the 2022 crop of signal-callers, has created an interesting conundrum. The Lions have a returning, established starter in Jared Goff, and there isn’t a far-and-away top prospect at the position this year.

So, where’s the dilemma, you ask?

For starters, there are legitimate questions about Goff’s status as the long-term option. He was up-and-down in his first year in Detroit, and has never been the type of player who wins games with elite physical attributes. Therefore, the Lions could indeed explore taking a quarterback in the draft.

However, there isn’t a dynamite prospect in the draft. Liberty’s Malik Willis has wowed with his traits, possessing a rocket arm and exceptional speed. Yet, there are issues with his accuracy, and he may not be NFL ready right away.

Willis will be available at Detroit’s first selection (No. 2 overall), but will almost certainly be gone by the time the team’s second choice comes along (No. 32 overall). 

Goff’s presence makes this not a pressing need at the moment. Yet, Holmes and company could decide to lock down their QB of the future early in the draft and buck this trend.

4.) EDGE

The Lions were one of the league’s worst teams on defense last year, ranking 31st in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed. Part of this problem was an inability to get pressure on the quarterback.

The Lions ranked 19th in the league in sacks with 36. The team did not have a player who notched double-digit sacks, as Charles Harris led the team with 7.5. Because of this, the team could benefit from adding a pass rusher who can be a true gamebreaker.

The Cleveland Browns are an example of what a star EDGE rusher can do for a team, as former top overall pick Myles Garrett kickstarted the team’s rebuild with his commanding presence. 

Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson is considered the top prospect at the position, maybe even the top player in the draft. If Jacksonville passes on him at No. 1 overall, Holmes and company should sprint to the podium to add the Wolverines product to their defensive unit.

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3.) Linebacker

Holmes attempted to address this position in the draft last season by taking Derrick Barnes in the fourth round. The Purdue product showed flashes of being a key contributor, but suffered from lapses in coverage and made rookie mistakes.

While Barnes could still wind up being a top defensive player with more seasoning, Detroit still needs to add to the room if it wants to build its defense. A step was taken in this process with the re-signing of Alex Anzalone and the addition of former Baltimore Raven Chris Board through free agency.

The draft has some solid options at the position throughout, including a plethora of players who could be mid-round fits for the Lions. Detroit needs to add several defensive playmakers, especially one who can pilot the defense at the second level.

2.) Safety

Speaking of defensive playmakers, the Lions need someone to help hold down the defensive backfield next to Tracy Walker III. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn cycled through multiple options a year ago, with Will Harris and Dean Marlowe as the top options.

Safety is another position that is deep in the draft, led by Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton. Should Hutchinson go No. 1, Hamilton is certainly a player the Lions could target with their first selection.

Other options at the position include Michigan’s Daxton Hill, Georgia’s Lewis Cine and Penn State’s Jaquan Brisker.

Walker will patrol part of the back half, but the Lions need another option to help anchor their pass coverage. Expect Detroit to address this position early in the draft.

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1.) Wide receiver

The Lions signed DJ Chark earlier this offseason, showing a commitment to addressing their need for receivers. The team also re-signed Josh Reynolds, who is another veteran piece in an otherwise young receivers room. 

There’s also Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is coming off a rookie season in which he set the organization’s rookie record for receiving yards in a season. With one more pass-catcher, Detroit could be dangerous on offense sooner rather than later.

Though the team won’t address this need with its first selection, there are receivers who could be in play at No. 32. Among them is North Dakota State’s Christian Watson, who is long and fast and could be a top option as he develops.

Detroit needs playmakers on both sides of the ball, as it tries to become a winning team. So, hitting on its draft picks would certainly help the team accelerate its rebuilding process.