Ranking Detroit Lions' 2022 Draft Picks

Brad Holmes has wrapped up his second draft as general manager of the Detroit Lions.

His 2022 efforts are receiving high marks across the board, as many media outlets are choosing to grade the decisions made over the three-day span highly.

Now, Detroit must translate the draft success into wins. The task will not be easy, as the team was 3-13-1 in 2021 and had many holes to address.

The eight players selected by Holmes and the Lions' brass will attempt to turn the tide. There are thoughts on who the best players from the group will be, but each will do their respective parts to make their mark.

Here is a ranking of the picks, based on both their projected contributions and their value (based on where they were selected in the 2022 draft).

8.) Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State

Lucas comes to Detroit after six collegiate seasons, one a redshirt year and another gifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though undersized, he played much of his career as an outside cornerback.

Detroit has plenty of youth in its cornerback room, and the 25-year-old Lucas will instantly become the third-oldest player at the position. His time in college will certainly help him to adjust quickly, as he played in a system led by former NFL head coaches Herm Edwards and Marvin Lewis.

His college numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he displayed a knack for getting to the football. As a seventh-round pick, he could outperform his selection, if he’s able to put forth a solid showing in camp.

7.) James Mitchell, TE, Virginia Tech

One of two players selected by Detroit who is coming off a torn ACL, Mitchell may not be ready to go right away. However, he adds value as a potential backup to budding star T.J. Hockenson.

Leaned on primarily as a pass-catcher in college, the Virginia Tech product also has value in the run game as a blocker. He had 435 receiving yards and four touchdown catches as a junior, his most productive year.

The injury will hamper him early, but there could be a potential contributor to be unlocked once healthy. He’s low on this list, but may end up becoming a factor in the offense down the line.

6.) Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Oklahoma State

The Lions went to the well of linebackers in the sixth round, taking the former Cowboy with their second pick on Day 3.

Rodriguez is an athlete who will see the field soon as a special teamer. In the meantime, he’ll get acclimated to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme, with the hopes of seeing the field in the middle quickly.

Detroit has Derrick Barnes as a second-year player, another Day 3 pick by Holmes. Rodriguez profiles similarly, though, a bit better in pass coverage. His impact may not be immediate, though it could turn substantial in time.

5.) Kerby Joseph, S Illinois

In his first three collegiate seasons, Joseph was a contributor but little else. However, his role took off in his fourth, as playing time led to more opportunities. In 2021, he picked off five passes, tying for the NCAA lead.

Now, he must take his development to the next level. He has great range for his position, and shows a knack for getting to the football in both the pass and run game.

He’ll compete for playing time with DeShon Elliott, with the winner of the battle earning the right to play next to Tracy Walker III in two-high sets. Though he was just a third-rounder, he’s another player who could outplay his selection value if all goes right.

4.) James Houston, OLB, Jackson State

After beginning his college career at Florida, Houston took his talents to Jackson State for his final year. He had a monstrous senior season, notching 24.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks.

Though playing at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level, there’s little to knock with his game. He’s an excellent EDGE rusher who is physical. The biggest knock on him is his measurables, as he’s an undersized 6-foot-1.

Playing against the lower level of competition knocked his stock, but the talent is evident. How the Lions elect to use him early will be interesting to monitor, as we should learn early where he’s at in his development.

3.) Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky

Paschal may not have been the best player available in the second round when Detroit stepped to the plate, but the swing may have landed the organization a perfect culture fit. The Kentucky product has shown his love for football and ability to beat the odds.

As a sophomore, Paschal was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. He beat the diagnosis, and returned to the field soon after, working his way toward what would be an exceptional season in 2021.

A three-time captain, he seems to be a perfect fit for the culture that Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are looking to build. His versatility as a rusher, with the ability to play both inside and out, make him a potentially dangerous player and equate to an even greater fit with the organization.

2.) Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

The story seems too good to be true -- Michigan product enjoys his senior season and plays his way into becoming a top-two selection by his hometown team. The Dearborn Divine Child product is staying close to home with Detroit.

Hutchinson is seen by many as a player with a high floor, a pick that came with little risk. However, this doesn’t mean he can’t be a game-wrecker early in his career. The 6-foot-7 rusher has shown the ability to dominate offensive linemen and burst his way into the backfield.

The hometown angle is fulfilling, but it won’t make a difference when it comes to his impact. His knack for culture and on-field skill set will take care of that, and he could be a foundational player for Detroit on its quest to become a winner.

1.) Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The aggression shown by Holmes to go and get a top-tier receiver is something that has not been seen by the Lions' brass in quite some time. Williams has the speed and athleticism to burn cornerbacks and score with ease, something the organization has severely lacked.

The Alabama product is not Megatron, as he doesn’t have the frame to beat triple coverage. However, he can get up and down the field with the best of them, and is a threat to score each time he touches the ball.

He is coming off an ACL injury of his own, so fans won’t be treated to his skills right away. However, his nose for the end zone will give the Lions' offense a presence of firepower that hasn't been known in some time. The move to get Williams is one that should come with a great deal of excitement, as Detroit will have a brand new weapon that could become a feared player in time.