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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions need to pick a pass rusher

By Brad Weiss

EUGENE, OREGON - OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks gets set for a play during the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium on October 15, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 24-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks gets set for a play during the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium on October 15, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 24-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. (Syndication: Detroit Free Press)
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. (Syndication: Detroit Free Press) /

The 2022 NFL Draft is months away, but with the playoff race heating up, we are starting to see needs, and what the draft order could look like next April.

The 2021 NFL season is entering Week 15 already, and incredibly, there is still no team that has clinched their division, or a playoff spot. As we inch towards the final four games, teams will have to start separating themselves from the pack, and we are starting to see some teams pull away.

Here, we take a shot at a potential first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, starting with the lowly Detroit Lions.

2022 NFL Mock Draft: Top edge rushers kick off first round, go 1-2

Picks No. 1 through 3

50. . Edge. Detroit Lions. Aidan Hutchinson. 1. player

A week after winning their first game of the season, the Detroit Lions once again looked like the worst team in football, getting a beatdown from the Denver Broncos. This is a franchise that needs a serious injection of talent next offseason, and luckily for them, they have two first-round picks, including No. 1 overall.

With that pick, the Lions decide to keep a Michigan Wolverine edge rusher in-state, selecting Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick. Watching this kid’s tape is like watching a freight train, and that is just the kind of talent this franchise needs to start building around.

2. player. 52. . Edge. Jacksonville Jaguars. Kayvon Thibodeaux

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a dumpster fire right now, and it starts from the very top, where Shad Khan seems to be enamored with Urban Meyer. Sure, hiring Meyer was a good storyline in the offseason, but he has been awful in his first season with the Jaguars, and you have to think he could be one-and-done as the team’s head coach.

Looking ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jaguars could certainly go offensive line here, bringing in Evan Neal to protect their No. 1 asset in Trevor Lawrence. However, Kayvon Thibodeaux could be too good to pass up here, even if it is not a huge need, so they pick up arguably the best overall player at No. 2 overall.

Quarterback. Houston Texans. Matt Corral. 3. player. 10.

Last week, the Houston Texans announced that Davis Mills would be their starting quarterback the rest of the season, which shows just how good the talent at the position is in Houston. Mills is a serviceable player, but he is a backup quarterback, and with Deshaun Watson being moved next offseason, Houston has to find a legitimate franchise quarterback.

In this draft, no one player really stands out like Trevor Lawrence did last year, but Matt Corral is going to be a good one at the next level. This is a very accurate thrower, someone who is not afraid to take chances, and while he will have his fair share of ups and downs, he is a better option than Mills.

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