Mel Kiper Jr. explains why Detroit Lions are a good fit for Aidan Hutchinson

At one point, Aidan Hutchinson was almost a consensus No. 1 pick in early mock drafts. But he’s recently fallen to No. 2 — but there’s a reason for that.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. now projects Hutchinson to the Detroit Lions instead of going to the Jacksonville Jaguars as the top pick. In his Mock Draft 2.0, he has NC State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu going to the Jaguars No. 1 to fill a need there.

Then, Hutchinson would go No. 2 to Detroit — and the former Michigan star would make an instant impact on the defense.

“The Lions are in a great spot here, with a clear need at edge rusher and one of the best two prospects guaranteed to be available,” Kiper wrote. “Hutchinson is a local kid who just finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, racking up 14 sacks and 19 total tackles for loss and dominating Big Ten offensive tackles. This is not just a sentimental pick because he went to Michigan; Hutchinson is an elite defender.

“Detroit’s defense is still a few pieces away from being average — there are big questions in the secondary, too — but this should be a rush-to-the-podium selection.”

Mel Kiper Jr. releases second NFL mock draft with trades ahead of NFL Scouting Combine

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu

2. Detroit Lions: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson

3. Houston Texans: Alabama OT Evan Neal

4. New York Jets: Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton

5. New York Giants: Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux

6. Carolina Panthers: Mississippi State OT Charles Cross

7. New York Giants (via CHI): Utah LB Devin Lloyd

8. Atlanta Falcons: Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
PROJECTED TRADE: Browns move up, swap with Broncos

9. Cleveland Browns (via DEN): USC WR Drake London

10. New York Jets (via SEA): Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum

11. Washington Commanders: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett

12. Minnesota Vikings: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.

13. Denver Broncos (via CLE): Florida State DE Jermaine Johnson II
PROJECTED TRADE: Saints move up, swap with Ravens

14. New Orleans Saints (via BAL): Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Washington CB Trent McDuffie

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Michigan OLB David Ojabo

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Georgia DE Travon Walker

18. Baltimore Ravens (via NO): Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Liberty QB Malik Willis

21. New England Patriots: Penn State DE Arnold Ebiketie

22. Las Vegas Raiders: Georgia ILB Nakobe Dean

23. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State WR Chris Olave

24. Dallas Cowboys: Purdue DE George Karlaftis

25. Buffalo Bills: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt

26. Tennessee Titans: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Boston College OG/C Zion Johnson

28. Green Bay Packers: Alabama WR Jameson Williams

29. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Minnesota OLB Boye Mafe

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Washington CB Kyler Gordon

32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Ole Miss QB Matt Corral