Lions Predicted to Make NFL Draft Trade for ‘Poor Man’s Aidan Hutchinson’
According to one observer, the Detroit Lions could acquire the depth they need in their pass-rushing group through a trade on draft day.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recommended the top NFL draft picks for each of the 32 clubs, speculating that the Lions will trade down to obtain further picks and acquire a player he called a “poor man’s version of Aidan Hutchinson.” After Hutchinson’s season-ending leg fracture in October, the Lions failed to generate a reliable pass rush, and Ballentine thinks the team could find additional assistance early in the 2019 draft’s second round.
The Lions Select a National Champion Edge Rusher and Land Other Picks
Ballentine projected in a mock draft that the Lions will trade back out of the first round, giving the New England Patriots their No. 28 overall pick and No. 246 pick in return for the No. 38 and No. 69 picks.
According to Ballentine, the Lions would be in prime position to get Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer with the early second-round selection.
“I kept the Lions in a position to still add some sort of help off the edge by trading down,” Ballentine reported. “Jack Sawyer would do just that for them. Sawyer appears to be a poor man’s Aidan Hutchinson, but the Lions seek out players like him in every round. He has a strong motor, plays physically, and is tenacious.
Although Sawyer lacks the “ideal quickness and bend for the position,” Ballentine remarked that he is “relentless” when taking on blocks.
“The Lions have a lot of options to create some kind of pass rush when they pair Sawyer with Hutch, [Josh] Paschal, and maybe Za’Darius Smith,” Ballentine wrote.
More Defense Support for the Lions
Ballentine proposed that the Lions select Texas A&M lineman Shemar Turner with their recently acquired No. 69 overall choice in order to add more defensive line support.
“I believe Turner will firmly establish himself as a top-75 choice following the Combine and Pro Days. He is the proper size (6’4″ and 300 pounds) and versatile to make an immediate contribution,” Ballentine said. He possesses an explosive first step and plays well laterally. Turner might be the person the Lions are searching for to replace Levi Onwuzurike.
With the hire of Kacy Rodgers as their new defensive line coach, the Lions have already made several defensive line adjustments this offseason. When Rodgers was the defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the club finished in the top third of the league in sacks.
At this week’s NFL combine, Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised Rodgers, saying he’s a fantastic addition to their coaching staff.