Some of the Detroit Lions’ draft fate this weekend lies in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL draft, one spot above where the Lions pick. And a move made on the eve of the draft by the Jaguars fundamentally changes the draft dynamic for the Lions.
The Jaguars have reached an agreement for a 3-year contract for left tackle Cam Robinson worth $54 million, per numerous reports. Robinson was previously on the franchise tag, which would have made him a free agent after the 2022 season.
The extension all but eliminates the need for an offensive tackle with the No. 1 pick. North Carolina State’s Iken Ekwonu was one of the betting favorites for the top spot, but that should be off the board now. And that means the pick almost certainly will be an EDGE, either Travon Walker or Aidan Hutchinson.
All indications are the Lions are sold on using the No. 2 pick on a pass rusher as well. Jacksonville’s choice is even more important now because it figures to eliminate one of the candidates. The generally accepted consensus is the Lions will take Hutchinson, a local Detroiter who played at Michigan, if he’s on the board. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux is also in the conversation for Detroit.
The Jaguars are less likely now to use the No. 33 pick on an offensive lineman as well. They have two recent second-round picks at right tackle and spent a small fortune in free agency to import G Brandon Scherff. Detroit picks at No. 32 and 34 with the Jaguars second pick sandwiched in between.
