Let’s begin in the present day’s roundup by reminding everybody that it’s mendacity season within the NFL.

Good. Now that we’ve got that out of the best way…

Recently, there have been a number of 2022 NFL Draft rumors stemming from quotes from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts which were circulating via the media. A few of these sources are doubtless answering questions actually, however there are undoubtedly others which can be utilizing the media to push their very own agenda.

Probably the most notable of the rumors surrounds the Jacksonville Jaguars and their most well-liked selection for the No. 1 total draft choose.

“Everybody is aware of he (Jaguars GM Trent Baalke) desires to commerce it, and that tells me he’s not in love with any of them (prospects),” an AFC faculty scouting director instructed MMQB’s Albert Breer.

Breer would go on to clarify that the best way the state of affairs is being offered to him from a number of sources is that the Jaguars are nervous about how the group is being perceived—no shock after back-to-back No. 1 total picks and the City Meyer fiasco—and that they in the event that they don’t take Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or “get a king’s ransom for the choose,” then it might be problematic for his or her picture.

Moreover, Breer famous others referenced the Jaguars doing numerous work on the highest offensive linemen on this class, which when coupled with Jaguars’ coach Doug Pederson’s feedback on the homeowners conferences (beneath), factors to them desirous to seize an offensive sort out on the prime of the draft—with NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu being the most certainly.

“We’re not achieved, clearly,” Pederson mentioned by way of the Free Press. “The draft is developing, and I’m certain we’re going so as to add some extra depth at that place. You’ll be able to by no means have sufficient offensive linemen within the NFL.”

There have been different comparable rumors reported from different websites, like Matt Lombardo of Fansided, who polled a number of NFL sources and got here away with quite a lot of opinions starting from Hutchinson, an offensive sort out, and even Georgia’s Travon Walker being the entrance runner for the No. 1 total choose.

The Walker connection has been making headlines recently, stemming from reviews from NFL Community’s Peter Schrager on Good Morning Soccer:

However Schrager isn’t alone on this stance, as Tony Pauline of Professional Soccer Community took the same stance, writing on the subject in late March, and doubling down by way of video earlier this week:

With lower than two weeks earlier than the NFL draft is ready to kick off, issues are possibly not as settled as beforehand believed.

With the desk now set, let’s take a better take a look at who’s being projected to the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 total choose this week.

Jacksonville picks anybody however Aidan Hutchinson first total, and the Lions choose…

• Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan – Lance Zierlein (NFL.com), Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports activities), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports activities), Evan Silva (Set up the run), Brian Bosarge (Draft Countdown), Cam Mellor (Professional Soccer Community), Ian Cummings (Professional Soccer Community), Joe Broback (Professional Soccer Community), Omar Kelly (Solar Sentinel), Harris Oates (DraftID), Tankathon (employees), Mike Fanelli (Fantasy Professionals), Andrew Wilbar (Behind the Metal Curtain)
• Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon – The thirty third staff (employees)

With the rumors smoking, a number of draft analysts are shopping for into the concept there may be some fireplace behind the Jaguars presumably not being settled on Hutchinson. As has been the case for a while now, if the Jaguars go on the Michigan edge rusher, there may be nearly common acceptance that he received’t get previous the Detroit Lions.

Now, not everyone seems to be altering their projections based mostly on rumors—together with Breer, who projected the Jaguars to stay with Hutchinson—which leads us to our subsequent part, the place as soon as once more, there was a dramatic shift in projections.

Jacksonville takes Aidan Hutchinson first total and the Lions choose…

• Malik Willis, QB, Liberty – Keith Sanchez (Draft Community), Jacob Infante (Windy Metropolis Gridiron)
• Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia – Dane Brugler (The Athletic), Albert Breer (MMQB), Bruce Feldman (The Athletic), Brad Spielberger (PFF), Nate Davis (USA Right now), Will Brinson (CBS Sports activities), Mark Maske (Washington Submit), Sawyer Hicks (DraftID), Andrew Erickson (Fantasy Professionals), Brian Johannes (The Huddle Report), Bryan Fischer (Anthon Sports activities), Jason McIntyre (Fox Sports activities), Jacob Camenker and Joe Rivera (Sporting Information)
• Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon – Adam Rank (NFL.com), Anthony Treash (PFF), Ben Linsey (PFF), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports activities)
• Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati – Mel Kiper (ESPN), Tori McElhaney (AtlantaFalcons.com)
• Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame – Rhett Lewis (NFL.com)

Thibodeaux was the belle of the ball final week, however this week, issues have shifted again in favor of Walker. Possibly it has to do with the rumors Jacksonville is all for Walker, thus main others to imagine the Lions ought to be too. Or possibly the shine of the Lions attending Thibodeaux’s professional day has worn off.

Regardless of the purpose, Walker to Detroit—if Hutchinson is off the board—is re-gaining some momentum.

As at all times, there are a number of different gamers getting projected to Detroit, together with defensive backs Sauce Gardner and Kyle Hamilton, and naturally, the quarterback discuss won’t ever go away—although the variety of projections is shifting away from the Lions taking a quarterback at No. 2 to them touchdown on a signal-caller at No. 32.

Quarterback focus at No. 32

• Malik Willis, Liberty – Two analysts projecting him at No. 2 above, Brian Bosarge (Draft Countdown) at No. 32
• Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh – Adam Rank (NFL.com), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports activities)
• Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati – Bruce Feldman (The Athletic), Evan Silva (Set up the run), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports activities), Cam Mellor (Professional Soccer Community), Jason McIntyre (Fox Sports activities)
• Matt Corral, Mississippi – Lance Zierlein (NFL.com), Tankathon (employees), Jacob Camenker and Joe Rivera (Sporting Information), Andrew Wilbar (Behind the Metal Curtain)
• Sam Howell, North Carolina – Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports activities, No. 34), Ian Cummings (Professional Soccer Community, No. 34)
• Carson Robust, Nevada – The thirty third staff (employees, No. 97)

Ridder’s inventory has been on the rise of late and that’s mirrored right here as he has the best quantity of projections to Detroit on the place. The Lions have been linked to Ridder for the reason that NFL Mix, when he reportedly met with the group, however don’t learn an excessive amount of into conferences, as a result of additionally they reportedly walked away from the Senior Bowl very excessive on Willis and in addition will probably be bringing in Pickett for a top-30 go to.

Of observe, whereas Howell and Robust had been linked to the Lions this week, neither landed in Detroit as a first-round choose.

Trades

• Commerce choose No. 2 to Giants for No. 5, then commerce choose No. 5 to Saints for No. 16, Lions choose Jermaine Johnson (EDGE, Florida State) – Vinnie Iyer (Sporting Information)
• Commerce choose No. 32 to Atlanta, and obtain picks No. 43, 114, 190 – Brad Spielberger (PFF)
• Commerce choose No. 32 to Seattle and obtain choose No. 40, 2023 third spherical – Ben Linsey (PFF)
• Commerce choose No. 32 to Seattle and obtain choose No. 40 and “in all probability” a fourth-rounder – Nate Davis (USA Right now)
• Commerce choose No. 32 to Jets and obtain picks No. 35 and 111 – Joe Broback (Professional Soccer Community)

A brand new dynamic to mock drafts this week—as analysts try to hold issues contemporary—is numerous commerce situations. Projecting trades is almost unattainable, however I included it as a reminder of the worth of the thirty second choose and the fifth-year possibility it carries.

I additionally figured it’d make for a wholesome debate about which one was greatest within the remark part beneath. Personally, I’d take Linsey’s suggestion.

Picks No. 32 and 34

• Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama – Sawyer Hicks (DraftID)
• Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas – Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports activities)
• Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State – Dane Brugler (The Athletic), The thirty third staff (employees), Tori McElhaney (AtlantaFalcons.com), Mike Fanelli (Fantasy Professionals), Luke Easterling (Draft Wire, No. 34)
• George Pickens, WR, Georgia – Bryan Fischer (Anthon Sports activities)
• Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan – Rhett Lewis (NFL.com)
• George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue – Will Brinson (CBS Sports activities)
• David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan – Mel Kiper (ESPN, No. 34)
• Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State – Keith Sanchez (Draft Community, No. 34)
• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah – Keith Sanchez (Draft Community)
• Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia – Josh Edwards (CBS Sports activities), Brian Johannes (The Huddle Report), Andrew Wilbar (Behind the Metal Curtain, No. 34)
• Leo Chanel, LB, Wisconsin – Anthony Treash (PFF, No. 34)
• Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State – Joe Broback (Professional Soccer Community)
• Andrew Sales space, CB, Clemson – Andrew Erickson (Fantasy Professionals)
• Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington – Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports activities, No. 34)
• Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn – Omar Kelly (Solar Sentinel)
• Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida – Mark Maske (Washington Submit)
• Daxton Hill, S, Michigan – Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), Ian Cummings (Professional Soccer Community), Harris Oates (DraftID), The thirty third staff (employees, No. 34)
• Lewis Cine, S, Georgia – Mel Kiper (ESPN), Jacob Infante (Windy Metropolis Gridiron), Dane Brugler (The Athletic, No. 34), Brian Bosarge (Draft Countdown, No. 34)
• Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor – Anthony Treash (PFF)

So, that’s 19 gamers over 5 completely different positions—not together with quarterbacks—that analysts suppose the Lions might be all for at picks No. 32 and 34. I feel this speaks to how unsettled this draft class is at each degree.

Prime projections this week embrace Dotson, Hill, Cine, and Dean—who was my choice with the thirty second choose within the Pleasure of Detroit group mock draft.

No. 66

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU – Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports activities)
• Calvin Austin, WR, Memphis – Ian Cummings (Professional Soccer Community)
• Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky – Andrew Wilbar (Behind the Metal Curtain)
• Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson – Josh Edwards (CBS Sports activities)
• Quay Walker, LB, Georgia – Brian Bosarge (Draft Countdown)
• Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State – Luke Easterling (Draft Wire)
• Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia – Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports activities)
• Leo Chanel, LB, Wisconsin – Dane Brugler (The Athletic), The thirty third staff (employees)

No. 97

• Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M – Ian Cummings (Professional Soccer Community)
• Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee – Brian Bosarge (Draft Countdown)
• Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson – Luke Easterling (Draft Wire)
• Cole Unusual, IOL, Chattanooga – Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports activities)
• Josh Pascal, EDGE, Kentucky – Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports activities)
• Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri – Dane Brugler (The Athletic)
• Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama – Andrew Wilbar (Behind the Metal Curtain)
• Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois – Josh Edwards (CBS Sports activities)

One other new wrinkle in mock drafts this time of 12 months is analysts increasing past the primary two rounds, with some even taking over all seven. Apparently, the identical technique for pairing the Lions up with an offensive ability participant or any degree of defender stays true within the third spherical as nicely.

I’m not in love with many of the offensive pairings—I just like the gamers, simply not at all times the match or after they had been projected—however the defensive projections are holding my consideration. Nabbing a linebacker at No. 66 is sensible if the Lions go at No. 32/34, and the gamers projected work for me, particularly Walker who I feel might be in play at 34 relying on how issues fall. Moreover, if the Lions go on a security early, give me Joseph at choose No. 97 all day.