The Jacksonville Jaguars have made it clear that they are “open for business” if anyone would like to trade for the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and now the Detroit Lions, who sit at No. 2 overall, are following suit. In speaking with reporters Tuesday at the NFL Annual League Meeting, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said he’s had talks with teams about moving down.
“We’ve had dialogue with a couple of teams,” Holmes said, via the Lions’ official website. “I wouldn’t say it’s been a lot, but there has been a couple teams that we’ve had some dialogue with.”
At No. 2 overall, the Lions could pick whomever they wanted — minus Michigan product Aidan Hutchinson, probably. All five of our CBS Sports NFL Draft experts have him going No. 1 overall to the Jaguars, but we still have a month before the draft.
As for who our experts have the Lions taking at No. 2, they are divided. Four have Detroit going defense, taking Georgia pass-rusher Travon Walker, Oregon pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux or Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. Chris Trapasso is going quarterback, however, as he has the Lions taking Malik Willis out of Liberty.
Moving down to acquire more picks would be a smart move, but it seems more likely at this stage Detroit will use that No. 2 overall pick. Holmes said that he and his staff would be fine staying put and picking a player with the first of their two first-round picks.
“There’s multiple players at multiple positions that if we turn the card in today, we could turn that card in today and sleep well at night,” Holmes said. “That’s a testament to everyone in our building, our personnel department. We’re so far ahead in the process, our scouts.”
