In the leadup to the 2022 NFL draft, Detroit Lions fans attached themselves to quite a few different prospects. As happens in every draft in pretty much every NFL city, fans (and media) drew their battle lines along the hopes of different draft prospects.
This year’s battle flags took on stronger ground than most years, thanks to the Lions holding the No. 2 overall pick. Owning an extra first-round pick thanks to the trade with the Rams and also an early second-round pick created a lot of buzz around different layers of the draft beyond that top pick, too.
Ultimately, the Lions selected Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2 and packaged the next two picks to move up and select WR Jameson Williams, also tabbing DL Josh Paschal in that deal with Minnesota.
After seven weeks, here’s where some of the other more popular prospects with Lions fans in the draft process are at in their rookie campaigns.
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Thibodeaux was a very popular choice in fan mock drafts for the No. 2 pick. A stand-up pass rusher from Oregon, Thibodeaux ultimately wound up going No. 5 overall to the New York Giants.
Thibodeaux missed New York’s first two games with an ankle injury. In the five games since, he’s recorded one sack and nine total tackles while playing a little over 75 percent of the Giants’ defensive snaps in those games. Thibodeaux has recorded 14 total QB pressures per Pro Football Focus and has two QB hits in those five games.
By way of comparison, Hutchinson has 4.5 sacks and nine QB hits in seven games while playing 86 percent of available defensive snaps.
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Dean was a very popular prospect with fans for the Lions selections at No. 32 or 34 overall. The Georgia linebacker wound up sliding a bit due to some injury and size concerns. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Dean in the third round, No. 83 overall.
So far, Dean has barely played. The Eagles run a base 4-2-5 defense and Dean is not in the rotation with Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards. He’s played six total snaps in two games on defense. Dean has been a fixture on the Eagles special teams, playing 70 percent of Philly’s special teams reps over their six games. He has two tackles, both on kickoff coverage.
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
When the Lions made the trade with the Vikings to move up to the No. 12 overall pick, many believed it was to land the talented Notre Dame safety. But Hamilton remained on…
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