The rebuilding Detroit Lions entered the first round of this year's NFL Draft in dire need of playmakers at several critical positions. And with smart decisions and some bold maneuvering from second-year general manager Brad Holmes on Thursday night, the team added a pair of top-tier prospects who'll become cornerstone pieces in no time.
First, the Lions drafted Michigan standout edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 pick, a selection that didn't come as a surprise to draft analysts. But in a move that sent shockwaves across the NFL, Detroit traded up to the 12th spot to land Alabama star receiver Jameson Williams. The deal was made with the rival Minnesota Vikings, which received three picks (Nos. 32, 34 and 66). The Lions were one of several teams that created chaos in the first round.
"They got two top-10 players on the PFF draft board, got the No. 1 overall in Aidan Hutchinson. That was a dream scenario, for him to be there at No. 2," Pro Football Focus draft analyst Mike Renner explained to The DA Show on Friday. "Man, they didn't have to give up much to go get Jameson Williams. We've seen trades like that in the past cost future firsts... In a class like this, that's a slam-dunk type of trade. I thought they knocked it out of the park."
Hutchinson, listed at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds, was a 2021 Heisman Trophy finalist for Michigan. In 14 games last season, the 21-year-old racked up 62 tackles (36 solo) with 16.5 tackles for a loss and a program-record 14 sacks. Hutchinson also forced pressure on 16-percent of quarterbacks' dropbacks, the seventh-highest mark in the country, and helped the Wolverines reach their first College Football Playoff.
As for Williams -- the top-rated receiver on PFF's draft board -- he produced sensational numbers in his lone season with the Crimson Tide. In 15 games, the 21-year-old amassed 1,572 receiving yards on 79 catches with 15 scores. Williams unfortunately suffered a torn ACL during the national championship, but he's optimistic to return to action in some capacity when training camps start. He was clocked at 22.4 mph during the SEC title game, and it remains to be seen how fast he'll move on a surgically repaired knee.
The entire NFL Draft conversation between Renner and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
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