Lions Fans Will Love Todd McShay's Latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft

With the 2021 NFL season behind us, Detroit Lions fans are looking ahead to the offseason. While the Lions finished with a 3-13-1 record, their play down the stretch has fans believing that Detroit is just a couple of pieces away from being on the upswing.

Many Lions fans likely have Thursday, April 28 circled on their calendars because that the start of the 2022 NFL Draft. Detroit will have 10 selections to make at the draft, including two first-round picks: No. 2 and No. 32.

With that being said, Lions fans will absolutely love who ESPN's Toddy McShay has them using their first-round picks on in his latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Lions Mock Draft

McShay has Detroit selection Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan. Hutchinson at No. 2 before selecting North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell at No. 32.

Drafting Hutchinson is a no-brainer move for the Lions. For starters, he was born in Michigan and played collegiate football for the Wolverines, so he's essentially the definition of a homegrown talent.

Considering how Detroit had one of the worst defenses last season, it only makes sense for them to pursue a playmaker like Hutchinson. He had 62 total tackles (16.5 for a loss), 14.0 sacks and two forced fumbles with Michigan in 2021, finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting while leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship victory.

Meanwhile, Jared Goff will be Detroit's starting QB in 2022, but it isn't too early to start thinking about the future — especially if Howell is available at pick No. 32. The 21-year-old racked up 10,283 passing yards and 92 touchdowns to 23 interceptions in three seasons with North Carolina. He also showed his mobility in 2021, rushing the ball 183 times for 828 yards and 11 TDs.

Howell could spend a few seasons learning under Goff before taking over as the starter. McShay points out how the penalty to buy Goff out in 2023 drops to $10 million in 2023 and $5 million in 2024, making that theory a real possibility.

In the meantime, Lions fans will continue sifting through mock drafts from now until the end of April, fantasizing about how bright the future could be.

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.