The Detroit Lions definitely left a mark on the 2022 NFL Draft.
Along with getting the No. 2 selection, the Lions made one of the most notable trades of a trade-heavy weekend.
With a draft class that has been largely praised by media outlets, have the Lions improved their 2022 season stock in the eyes of oddsmakers?
What kind of opportunities can Michigan sports bettors take advantage of?
Lions mostly focus on defense in draft
Detroit made a big splash in Thursday’s opening round of the NFL Draft.
The Lions landed the hometown favorite, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 overall selection.
Then, Detroit made a bold move by trading up from No. 32 into the No. 12 position to select Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams. Detroit swapped first and second round picks with the Minnesota Vikings, while also giving up a third round picks to make the deal happen.
Detroit spent the remainder of the draft mostly focusing on adding pieces to one of last season’s worst defenses.
Here’s a complete list of the Lions 2022 draft picks:
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- First Round No. 2: Aidan Hutchinson, DE Michigan
- First Round No. 12: Jameson Williams, WR Alabama
- Second Round No. 14: Josh Paschal, DE Kentucky
- Third Round No. 33: Kerby Joseph, S Illinois
- Fifth Round No. 34: James Mitchell, TE Virginia Tech
- Sixth Round No. 9: Malcolm Rodriguez, ILB Oklahoma State
- Sixth Round No. 39: James Houston, OLB Jackson State
- Seventh Round No. 16: Chase Lucas, CB Arizona State
Draft grades high for Lions
It’s easy for anyone on social media to say the Detroit Lions had a good NFL Draft.
But, media pundits are pretty well in agreement on it. They liked Detroit’s bold move in the first round to attempt to get a real offensive playmaker. But, they also felt Brad Holmes did a good job of addressing the maligned defense.
Here’s what the top media names are grading Detroit’s draft:
- Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN: B+
- Nate Davis, USA Today: A
- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B
- Alex Ballentine, Bleacher Report: A
- Chad Reuter, NFL.com: B+
- Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated: A
- Pro Football Focus Staff: A+
- Logan Lamorandier, All Lions: B+
Lions futures odds remain the same at Michigan sportsbooks
Despite having a critically acclaimed NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions didn’t appear to enhance their odds for success in the 2022 season
None of Detroit’s future odds changed from prior to the draft once the three-day event concluded.
Oddsmakers at Michigan online sportsbooks see the following odds for the Lions:
- Super Bowl Winner:
- NFC Champion:
- NFC North Champion:
- Odds to make the playoffs:
- Over/Under Wins:
MGM sees the Lions chasing the Green Bay Packers in the North once again. Aaron Rodgers and the Pack are favorites in the division for 2022 right now.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+350 at multiple sportsbooks) find themselves as the NFC favorite right now. In the Super Bowl chase, it’s the Buffalo Bills listed as the favorite at .
Hutchinson Rookie of the Year favorite at Michigan online sportsbooks
One area where oddsmakers do expect success for the Lions is in the Defensive Rookie of the Year market.
Hutchinson is the favorite to win the honor according to DraftKings Sportsbook MI.
DraftKings lists Hutchinson at +400 shortly after the draft. Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants is next at +450. Top overall pick Travon Walker of the Jacksonville Jaguars is listed at +550.
Surprisingly Jameson Williams is right in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year. DraftKings lists him at +1000 to win the honor. This is despite him coming off a torn ACL back in January. A timetable for his availability in 2022 is unknown at this time.
Lions to host 2024 NFL Draft
In just two short years, the Detroit Lions will play host to the NFL Draft.
It was announced by the league on March 28, 2022 that the home of the Lions will get the honor to host the three-day event in 2024.
“The draft has become a prominent offseason event across the country, and we are excited to work with the Lions and their partners to bring the 2024 NFL Draft to the Motor City,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement at the time. “With the help of Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, and the City of Detroit the Lions passionate fan base and all visitors will be treated to an incredible three-day experience.”
The news correlated with the Lions also being announced for the 2022 edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks, which will document their training camp leading up to the regular season.
The draft will be centered in a revitalized downtown. The area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza will serve as the draft and the NFL Draft Experience event site.
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