In fact, I’m not sure I can remember a year that provided less clarity about what teams can do at the top of the draft. Things have changed from the Jacksonville Jaguars who got an edge rusher, to those who did an aggressive tackle, back to those who got an edge rusher, namely Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan, to the Lions who will probably trade a spot for draft Hutchinson, and now there is a chance the Jaguars will bypass Hutchinson in favor of Georgia’s Travon Walker. As for the Detroit Lions and option No. 2, things also remain murky. Fortunately, last week’s tackle aggression projections quickly disappeared, but the projections of a Lions general have skyrocketed and a new name has been introduced in the discussion aside by a respected local writer. Let’s take a closer look at who is featured in the Lions this week, starting with No. 2 in the overall selection.

Jacksonville chooses anyone but Aidan Hutchinson first overall, and the Lions choose …

That summed up what I think most people expect. If Hutchinson is there, he is almost certainly the choice. The combination of his style of play and personality is a perfect grid for Dan Campbell and the Lions coaching staff, and most believe Detroit would prioritize keeping the local candidate. This, unless the Lions are so in love with Willis as a prospect that getting their general in the future takes precedence over all other positions. More on that in a moment.

Jacksonville takes Aidan Hutchinson first overall and the Lions choose …

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty – Chad Reuter (NFL.com), Derrick Klassen (Football Outsiders), Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports), Marcus Mosher (The Game Day), Sawyer Hicks (Draft ID) Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame – by Mel Kiper ($ ESPN subscription required), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports), Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown), Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network) Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon – by Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia – by Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic, $) Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com), Pete Prisco (CBS Sports), Nate Davis (USA Today), Brendan Donahue (Sharp Analysis) Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State – by Dave Birkett (Free Pre $$)

With Hutchinson off the board, things are everywhere. Willis to the Lions’s idea is more popular, Hamilton still has many supporters, Thibodeaux’s stock continues to fall, Walker’s continues to rise and Birkett adds Johnson’s name to the mix, although he acknowledges that he is “probably in a island with this option. “ Birkett’s logic makes sense and is consistent with several of my thoughts, but we differ a little in its final conclusion. I agree that Hutchinson remains the top target, Willis remains a risky choice for a general manager (Brad Holmes) who has a motive to play safely in the draft and Hamilton’s position could hurt his attention. I also agree with Birkett that Thibodeaux’s match with the Lions may not be as perfect as people thought in the past. If the above players are out of the question, this leaves Johnson and Walker as the best remaining edge rushers, and it depends on what style of play this team prefers / needs. If you’re looking for an edge bender, Johnson is your man. But if you are looking for a sports freak with flexibility of position, then you will probably lean towards Walker. At the end of the day, there seem to be six sensible choices for the Lions at No. 2, and right now, no one has any idea where this team is headed – and that is probably exactly what Holmes wants.

Quadruple focus

In addition to the seven analysts who believe the Lions could take Willis by No. 2, there are seven other analysts who believe the Lions would get a quarter by either No. 32 or No. 34:

Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi – by Mark Schofield (Touchdown Wire), Mel Kiper (ESPN), Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown at pick No. 34) Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnatti – by Brendan Donahue (Sharp Analysis), Staff (Tankathon) Sam Howell, QB North Carolina – by Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) Carson Strong, QB, Nevada – by Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL.com)

So if you follow the math, that means out of the 23 virtual drafts tested this week, 14 of them have the Lions getting a quarter somewhere in the top 34 draft choices. This is about a 60/40 split in favor of the lions landing a new signal caller. The fan base is divided into when the Lions would like to pick a quarter (if they were forced to draft). Earlier this week, I presented two draft duels, each with the Lions choosing a quarterback and being safe with the first round options, and asked the fans to vote on which was better. The results were divided, almost in half: Personally, I still think the Lions are not in a perfect position to get a quarterback in this draft round, but I understand the logic of getting one now, and if they did pick one, I would like it to be the best. possible. That probably means Willis at No. 2 on the set for me. On the non-quadrupeds projected to the Lions with the number 32.

Choice Nos. 32 and 34

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas – by Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State – by Damian Parson (The Draft Network), Luke Easterling (The Draft Wire) George Pickens, WR, Georgia – by Dave Birkett (Free Pre $$), Chad Reuter (NFL.com, No. 34), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports, No. 34) Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia – by Cam Mellor (Pro Football Network) Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia – by Sawyer Hicks (Draft ID) David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan – by Derrick Klassen (Football Outsiders), Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown) George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue – by Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) Boye Mafe, EDGE – by Minnesot Chad Reuter (NFL.com), Marcus Mosher (The Game Day, No. 34), Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network, No. 34) Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah – by Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network) Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia – by Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Damone Clark, LB, LSU – by Dave Birkett (Free $$, No. 34 – Before Injury) Christian Harris, LB, Alabama – by Damian P arson (The Draft Network, No. 34) Daxton Hill, FS / DB, Mic higan – by Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic, $), Nate Davis (USA Today), Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State – by Doug Farrar (Touchdown Wire) Lewis Cine, FS, Georgia – by Marcus Mosher (The day of the game) What the Lions do in selections 32 and 34 remains a mystery, but given how the top of the draft plays, this is not surprising. What has remained constant are the position teams with which the Lions are combined: wide receiver, defensive line, defensive line and security. If the Lions could land the Burks, Watson or Pickens at one of these points, that would probably be a victory for the Lions, as they would secure their future spot in the WR-X, which is one of the remaining major needs in attack. I’m not sure any of Georgia’s defensive line will be there, but if there are any, they would be terrific additions to the Lions front. What is worth recognizing here is the quality of the edge rusher that most claim will be available if the Lions move one to No. 2. Ojabo has just injured his Achilles and could miss much of the season (if he plays not at all), Karalaftis is expected to go much higher, especially the injured Ojabo, and will offer value but a remarkable step below the top guys. While Mafe is becoming an increasingly popular part of retiring a general at No. 2, Mafe is an incredible athlete, but he is also very raw and struggles to put his strengths and things off, which would probably take him out of the starting conversation. for this group. These options seem to be a sweet spot for line fans and Safe and Lions would do well to add any of the ones suggested above. Hell, they could grab two, they have the capital plan to complete it, and I would be absolutely fine with that.