USAT: Lions Wire audio clip

USAT: Lions Wire

Mar 22, 2022

One of the most reverential NFL draft analysts, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN released his latest single-round mock draft. It’s a projection that adds instant playmakers on both sides of the ball for the Detroit Lions. - Kiper attacks the desperate need for impact talent on defense by using the No. 2 overall pick for Detroit on Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. After mentioning the potential for Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Kiper concludes Hamilton is the safer, smarter choice, - Hamilton is a playmaking safety in a 6-foot-4 frame who would immediately raise the ceiling of a defense that has struggled for years. He can play in the box, out of the slot and as a center fielder. Normally I’d say this is too high for a safety, but Hamilton is a unique and special defender. - The No. 32 pick addresses the question at quarterback. With Kenny Pickett (at 18) and Malik Willis (20) off the board, Kiper rolls with Ole Miss QB Matt Corral, - He throws a ball with some zip and is extremely tough, though he doesn’t have a huge frame (6-foot-2, 212 pounds). The biggest question revolves around the offense he ran in college; his coaches didn’t ask him to make many reads. There will be an adjustment in the NFL. - For the Lions, I just don’t see Jared Goff as the future. This allows them to get a potential quarterback of the future on a team-friendly five-year contract. - Kiper’s projections match those made in our last Lions Wire mock offseason. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Lions Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Lions Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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