Mel Kiper reveals why he's so high on Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson

Aidan Hutchinson put together a monster season for Michigan, and that’s the reason why he’s at the top of most NFL mock draft boards – including from ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper.

To Kiper, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end Hutchinson is the best overall prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft class and is exactly who the Jacksonville Jaguars need as the organization tries to turn things around in the future.

“I think Aidan Hutchinson, the defensive end from Michigan,” Kiper said when asked who should be the top pick in the draft. “I think the body of work, the production, the intensity, the consistency, being disruptive against the pass, getting after the quarterback, being a great leader, setting a great tone for that defense. The guy was the tone-setter for what that defense was able to accomplish.

“I think if you look at Aidan Hutchinson, he gives you that, ‘Hey, I’m coming to work. I’m the guy that’s going to show up for every game and give you a similar performance level.’ I think when you look at Aidan Hutchinson, I give him the slight edge there over Kayvon Thibodeaux, defensive end from Oregon, who I would put in that second spot.”

As a senior for Michigan last season, Hutchinson recorded 62 total tackles, 14 sacks and two forced fumbles to help lead the Wolverines to an outstanding 12-2 season that included a Big Ten championship win and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Over four total seasons in Ann Arbor, Hutchinson – a former On3 Consensus four-star recruit – made 155 total tackles, 18.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Mel Kiper releases first mock draft ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

Mel Kiper has released his first mock draft ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. With the NFL playoffs in full swing and the college football season coming to an exciting finish, Kiper predicted where the best athletes in college football will play the game at the next level.

Mel Kiper’s NFL Mock Draft 1.0 Top 10

1) Jacksonville Jaguars — DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
2) Detroit Lions — DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
3) Houston Texans — OT Evan Neal, Alabama
4) New York Jets — S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
5) New York Giants — OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
6) Carolina Panthers — OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
7) New York Giants (via CHI) — OLB David Ojabo, Michigan
8) Atlanta Falcons — CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
9) Denver Broncos — ILB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
10) New York Jets (via SEA) — WR Drake London, USC