The 2022 NFL Draft was one of the few NFL drafts in recent history where the top pick was up in the air until the card was turned in. Fans and media knew the Jaguars would take an edge rusher but which one?
The major project with tremendous upside was Travon Walker out of Georgia or Aidan Hutchison who could make an impact on day one?
Buy Lions TicketsIf you are a Lions fan you know how things played out. Travon Walker was drafted by the Jaguars and the Michigan native Aidan Hutchison “fell” to his home state team. Since that draft, the Jaguars have experienced an offensive renaissance but have been left behind in terms of pass rush. Compare that to the path the Lions have established and paved for themselves and that draft pick is a major part of each team’s story in 2023.
Aidan Hutchison is looking and playing like an All-Pro and is leading a gritty Lions defense. The defensive unit as a whole goes with the flow of Hutchison and in that they tend to play to their highest potential. That leadership cannot be measured but some of his leadership can be measured with stats.
Most pressures in the NFL
Aidan Hutchinson 35
Micah Parsons 29
Nick Bosa 27
Maxx Crosby 27
T.J. Watt 27
Chase Young 27
Bryce Huff 25— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) October 9, 2023
The NFL media loves to push the hype and excitement factor that Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, and Nick Bosa but it appears they are missing out.
It is not just Jaguars fans missing out on a reliable pass rusher but it is the majority of NFL fans not realizing how special Hutchinson is so soon in his career. It isn’t just pressure though, he deflects passes, provides run coverage, and the total package he presents on defense should be reminiscent of another Watt defensive player.
That skill set, specifically the pass rush skills, will be needed over the next four games. The Lions will be facing off against the Buccaneers, Ravens, Raiders, and Chargers with being able to apply pass rush being a make-or-break approach to it all.
While Jaguars fans look for a pass rusher to emerge to help them, the Lions will lean on their reliable one to make it through a rough patch in the schedule.
