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Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson reveals his message to NFL teams, general managers

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•03/04/22•

Jonathan Wagner

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Bryan Bedder via Getty Images.

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is vying to be the top player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hutchinson had a great 2021 season with the Wolverines, finishing as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Now, as the NFL Scouting Combine gets underway and the draft inches closer, Hutchinson isn’t being shy about the confidence he has in himself.

When speaking to the media at the NFL Combine, Hutchinson revealed a clear and confident message for teams and general managers across the league.

“That they should take me,” Hutchinson said. “Because I am a very good football player and I’m a guy that’s very confident in my abilities.”

This past season, Hutchinson broke Michigan’s sack record with 14 on the season. He also had 62 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. In his four-year collegiate career, Hutchinson played in 36 games with 156 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, ten passes defended, and five forced fumbles.

NFL Draft expert Todd McShay on Hutchinson

ESPN NFL Draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have both released their second mock drafts, and both have Hutchinson being selected second overall by the Detroit Lions. Kiper and McShay have the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting offensive linemen at first overall.

McShay is very high on Hutchinson, and believes that he has compiled some very impressive tape, which includes his strength in every facet of the game.

“You watch him in pre-snap, he’s pointing to Ojabo like, ‘Hey, we got this, this, this,’ and they’ll shift a little bit and all of a sudden he’ll be like run your side, he’ll come off the edge and work to the backside. And nine out of ten times, he’s right with what he saw on tape and transferring it to the field,” McShay said.

“Then his mechanics tying his feet and his hands together as a pass rusher. He’s a freak and he’s going to work out really well at the combine. People don’t think he’s that athletic. I see there’s some tightness in him, but his explosive numbers, his 40 time, his vertical jump, broad jump, those things are going to be outstanding. I think if it’s not one, it’s very likely to be number two to Detroit.”