Detroit Lions take Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson No. 2 overall in 2022 NFL Draft

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson‘s dream has come true. The U-M captain and All-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year went early in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, as expected, No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions.

Hutchinson becomes the Wolverines’ highest draft pick since Jake Long went first overall to Miami. He’s the fourth Michigan player in the modern era to go in the top five, joining Long, receiver Braylon Edwards (third, Cleveland, 2005), cornerback Charles Woodson (fourth, Oakland, 1998) and receiver Desmond Howard (fourth, Washington, 1992).

Offensive lineman Tom Mack, an NFL Hall of Famer, went No. 2 overall in 1965 to the Los Angeles Rams.

“I’m personally rooting for Detroit,” Harbaugh said. “I hope he keeps playing right here in the great state of Michigan.”

And now he will. Hutchinson called the possibility “cool” last month, though he made it clear he was open to anyone. Now, he’s all in on Detroit.

“No, it’s great,” Hutchinson told NFL Network when asked if there could’ve been a better fit. “I’m happy I get to go back to Detroit, go back to the Motor City. Hopefully, win some ball games and get back to winning. I’m fired up. They made a great decision.”

ESPN’s Booger McFarland said: “He’s the most NFL-ready defensive end. The ability to use my hands and knock the offensive tackle’s hands down and now once I knock them down, can I turn the corner and can I finish and when I finish, can I get the football out? His hand usage is phenomenal, his array of moves is phenomenal. Why is he the most NFL ready? Because he comes with the ability to go one-on-one.”

ESPN’s Louis Riddick is also a fan of Hutchinson’s.

“He’s one of those guys who because of how he plays, people automatically want to go ahead and put him in this box – he’s just a try-hard guy,” he said. “No he’s not. He’s 6-7, 260 pounds who ran a three-cone and a short shuttle as fast as most DBs. He’s a good athlete. If you’re Detroit right now, you’re going ‘thank you.’”

Considered a high floor and potential high ceiling guy, Hutchinson moved up NFL Draft boards dramatically this year with an outstanding season. He notched a season-high 14 sacks, including three in a win over Ohio State.  He earned consensus All-America honors, was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (consensus first team in 2021; third team, coaches, honorable mention, media in 2019) and was twice voted captain by his teammates (2020-21).

In addition, Hutchinson won the Rotary Lombardi Award winner last year given to the nation’s top linebacker. He was also the 2021 Woodson-Nagurski Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and Big Ten Championship Game Grange-Griffin MVP.

Despite it all, he wasn’t anywhere near satisfied with his accomplishments.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think I’m even close,” the Michigan star said of reaching his potential, discussing with co-hosts Marty Smith, an ESPN reporter, and Wes Blankenship on ‘The Marty Smith Podcast’. “I made a lot of strides in my game this past season, but I get so much better every single year. I’m only 21 years old, so I have a lot more room to grow. I just think I have way more potential to reach, in terms of my football game. 

“My plan is to unlock those levels once I get into the NFL.”

And now he’s on the precipice.

Though he didn’t go first overall, as some suggested he might several weeks ago, he was going to be happy no matter what.

“It would definitely be cool, because going No. 1 would be something cool that I can hang onto later in life,” Hutchinson said in the days leading up to the draft. “But at the end of the day, as long as I’m going to the right culture, the right fit, where I’m going to get the most out of my career is where I’m going to be happy. 

“Whether I go No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as I’m being put in an environment where I’m capable of succeeding.”

Time will tell if Detroit is that place. But there’s no doubt he’ll do what he can to make it so.

Analysts certainly believe Detroit got a great one in the Michigan star.

“This team was 31st in the league in third-down defense last year,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “They were 30th in sacks. This is going to change with Aidan Hutchinson. He is a polished, professional pass rusher. He can beat you with speed, he can beat you with power. He’s going to get a handful of [sacks] just with the maniacal effort he plays with.”

“This is more than just what you’re getting with all of that, as well,” fellow analyst Charles Davis added. “The Detroit Lions continue to talk about their culture — changing the locker room, changing the forces that are there in Detroit. I get the sense from management there that this is a management that’s willing to work with Dan Campbell — Brad Holmes, the G.M., — to build this locker room. He’s exactly what you’re looking for.”