Lions mock draft watch: A 1st-round CB shakes things up

The latest 3-round set of projections for the 2022 NFL draft from Draft Wire offers up a fresh idea on how the Detroit Lions can advance the second year of the rebuild under GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

Instead of addressing the obvious needs at pass rush or wide receiver with the first pick, or even landing the possible QB of the future, this projection lands the Lions a premium cornerback. With the No. 2 overall pick, a slot based on current Super Bowl odds, the Lions select LSU CB Derek Stingley.

Detroit does get a quarterback with the second pick, the first-round pick acquired in the trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Liberty QB Malik Willis gets the nod, though that is quite a bit later than Willis is coming off the board in many contemporary projections.

In the second round, speedy Alabama WR John Metchie would make quite a splash in Detroit. Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling follows that up with Miami safety Bubba Bolden in the third round, adding an influx of talent at arguably the Lions’ biggest positions of need for Day 2 of the draft.

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