What they're saying about Aidan Hutchinson after huge combine performance
Michigan edge defender Aidan Hutchinson showed out at the 2022 NFL Combine this weekend, posting elite athletic testing scores in his quest to be the No. 1 overall pick. It already seemed likely he was a shoo-in for top-three consideration, but this weekend hammered home that point.
RELATED: How Aidan Hutchinson, others performed at the NFL Combine
Should the Jacksonville Jaguars decide to pass on Hutchinson to pursue an offensive tackle, the Detroit Lions may sprint to the podium for the chance to draft him at No. 2. Below is the latest look at what pundits are saying about Hutchinson as a prospect.
SI’s Peter King believes Hutchinson is the favorite for the No. 1 overall pick
“I don’t believe Jags GM Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson will be unduly swayed by combine tests. But the tape says a lot about Hutchinson’s raw power and instincts and drive. His college production (30.5 tackles-for-loss plus sacks last season) has made some scouts compare him to former NFL edge player Jared Allen, who put up 136 sacks in 12 NFL season. Their on-field zeal is certainly comparable.“
Fansided’s Scott Rogust: Aidan Hutchinson makes strong NFL Combine case to be No. 1 pick
“The Jaguars hold the first-overall pick for the second consecutive year. They used last year’s pick on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who really struggled in his rookie season with Urban Meyer as his head coach. Now, he has a Super Bowl-winning head coach in Doug Pederson.
While yes, Jacksonville could use the No. 1 selection on an offensive tackle like North Carolina State’s Ickey Ekwonu or Alabama’s Evan Neal to protect Lawrence at the line of scrimmage. But Hutchinson’s numbers could entice the team to take him instead. It may not even be the Jaguars who use the first-overall pick, as general manager Trent Baalke said that “you’re always open for business” in regards to taking trade offers.
For teams in need of pass rusher help, they have to be amazed at what they saw from Hutchinson at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday.“
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson has the Michigan EDGE rusher heading to Detroit
“Hutchinson told us at the combine that the folks who think he’s reached his ceiling are, to put it politely, grossly misinformed. He’s 21, is coming off a monster ’21 campaign, and also tested through the roof. He’s the safest pick in this class.”
The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs sees Hutchinson as a slam dunk for the Lions
“A home-state player making the short trek to the Motor City to showcase his… high motor? Yes, aside from some cheap puns, Hutchinson is the kind of player who can help to reshape a rebuilding program thanks to his ability to play both the pass and the run and provide an impact. I personally feel he’s the most well-rounded rusher in the class.“
Justin Rogers of The Detroit News weighs in on arm legnth concerns, Aaron Donald parallel
“Donald, like Hutchinson, was highly productive and highly athletic coming out of college, but the former Pitt standout fell well below most of the prototypical size thresholds for an interior defensive lineman.
In hindsight, considering Donald a risk seems foolish. The selection has spectacularly paid off with an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time defensive player of the year who is a sure-fire Hall of Famer.
Now [Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes] must ask himself if Hutchinson’s arm length, similar to Donald’s height, weight and length, is just background noise for an otherwise expectational prospect who can similarly deliver high-end production for years to come.“
