{"id":265210,"date":"2026-02-15T12:30:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T17:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=265210"},"modified":"2026-02-15T11:28:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T16:28:32","slug":"revisiting-the-detroit-lions-2022-draft-selections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/15\/revisiting-the-detroit-lions-2022-draft-selections\/","title":{"rendered":"Revisiting The Detroit Lions 2022 Draft Selections"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Detroit Lions fans hope Brad Holmes<\/span><\/a> will recreate the magic of his 2021-2023 rookie classes. The 2022 rookies finished their fourth NFL season. It’s time to revisit Holmes’ selections to see if they’ve withstood the test of time. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Revisiting The Detroit Lions 2022 Draft Selections<\/h2>\r\n

It didn’t quite meet the Gold Standard of his 2021 draft, but Holmes hit the bullseye with several 2022 picks. However, did the lastwordonsports.com<\/a> 2022 NFL Draft Profiles and our post-draft review fare as well, given the test of time?<\/p>\r\n

Round 1, No. 2 overall: Aidan Hutchinson<\/a>, DE, Michigan\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

Armed with the second pick of the 2021 draft, Holmes scored an A+ with his selection of the 2022 NFL Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl talent. In addition to elite athleticism, Hutchinson possesses the defining personal character traits Holmes and Dan Campbell sought in rebuilding the Lions roster.<\/p>\r\n

The 2021 Ted Hendricks Award recipient as the nation\u2019s top defensive end, Hutchinson was also named the Lott IMPACT Trophy winner. The IMPACT acronym stands for Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.<\/p>\r\n

In drafting Hutchinson, the Lions acquired a generational talent with a 91.9 PFF rating<\/a>. Even after missing most of last season, he boasts a career record of 176 tackles (118 solo), 100 quarterback hits, 64 QB hurries, 43.0 sacks, five interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. This past October, the Lions signed Hutchinson to a four-year $180 million extension that set an NFL record for the most guaranteed money ($141 million) awarded to a non-quarterback.<\/p>\r\n

Hutchinson\u2019s draft profile<\/a> aged well, comparing him to Maxx Crosby. \u201cHutchinson has enough upside to warrant being taken at the top of the draft, and will probably be selected by Jacksonville with the first overall pick or the Detroit Lions with the second pick. Whoever takes Hutchinson will get a difference-maker on defense.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Round 1, No. 12 overall: Jameson Williams<\/a>, WR, Alabama\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

Coming off his second back-to-back 1,000-yard season, Williams achieved the potential Holmes spotted at the time of his draft. As ESPN reported, \u201cThe Lions trading up 20 spots to take Williams<\/a> was one of the biggest stories of the night.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Signaling the Lions’ intention to surround Jared Goff with strong offensive receiving targets, Holmes negotiated a savvy deal with the Minnesota Vikings<\/a> to draft Williams at number 12. Trading up from the 32nd pick, Holmes gave up the 32nd, 34th, and 66th picks in exchange for the 12th and 46th overall picks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a rough initial start, Williams is one of the NFL\u2019s leading receivers with 148 receptions for 2,513 yards and 17 touchdowns. Averaging 22.6 yards per catch, he’s known for his long ball threat and blazing speed. With an 82-yard reception as his longest, Williams also recorded 63 and 64-yard receptions.<\/p>\r\n

His draft profile<\/a> has aged well, highlighting Williams’ explosive speed and playmaking ability. \u201cIf not for his ACL tear in January, he would be a top-five receiver.\u201d The profile predicted he’ll be a deep ball asset to whatever team drafts him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Round 2, No. 46 overall: Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Josh Paschal was part of the trade with Minnesota. The \u201csteal\u201d of the 2022 draft<\/a> was a projected first-rounder who \u201cfell to the Lions at pick 46.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

A three-time captain at Kentucky, Paschal\u2019s post-draft review<\/a> described him as \u201ca steal not only for his dedication to finding the ball, but for his dedication to establishing a successful and winning culture.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Despite his enormous talent, Paschal hasn’t lived up to his anticipated potential in Detroit. He is the biggest disappointment of this draft class. His career derailed by multiple knee injuries, a hernia, and a lingering back problem, Paschal has appeared in only 36 games and started 18. He recorded 62 tackles (34 solo), 5.0 sacks, a pass defense, and two opposing fumble recoveries. Due to the ongoing back issue, Paschal didn\u2019t play a single snap in 2025.<\/p>\r\n

Round 3, No. 97 overall: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Kerby Joseph’s draft<\/a> was another home run hit for the Lions. In the\u00a0post-draft review<\/a>, Joseph was described as \u201ca fast safety who hits players with violence” and a player who \u201cgets the job done,” making few mistakes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Recording 265 career tackles (180 solo), 35 pass defenses, 20 interceptions, 1 pick six, two forced fumbles, and one opposing fumble return, Joseph ranks among the NFL’s elite. Snagging critical interceptions, Joseph makes huge plays when they’re most needed.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

In 2022, he became the first NFL player to record three interceptions in a single season off Green Bay Packers<\/a> quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Two of those interceptions occurred in one game. In 2024, he was named First-Team AP All-Pro. \u00a0Joseph ranked number 60 on the CBS Sports Top 100 list for the 2025 season<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Unfortunately, due to an ongoing knee issue, Joseph appeared in only six games in 2025. While the extent and nature of his knee problem have not been disclosed, his healthy return to the roster remains in doubt. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"\"
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Round 5, No. 177 overall: <\/b>James Mitchell<\/b><\/span><\/a>, TE, Virginia Tech<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

It’s expected that Holmes will incur a few draft misses along with the hits. P<\/span>art of his strategy is drafting the “best player available” regardless of position. But occasionally Holmes gets it wrong. \u00a0This may have been the case with James Mitchell.<\/p>\r\n

Our post-draft review pointed out that since he didn’t play in 2021 due to injury, Mitchell’s performance evaluation wasn\u2019t current. The profile concluded that “moreover, this is also the second injured player selected in the draft (the first being Jameson Williams”). Selecting two players with injury questions<\/span><\/a> is a “major risk for a team that needs immediate impact players.”<\/p>\r\n

As a rookie, Mitchell appeared in 14 games, recording 11 receptions for 113 receiving yards and one touchdown. Waived by Detroit in August of 2024, he was signed to the practice squad. In January of 2025, Mitchell signed a reserve\/future contract with the Carolina Panthers.<\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Round 6, No. 188 overall: <\/b>Malcolm Rodriguez<\/b><\/span><\/a>, ILB, Oklahoma State<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

However, Malcom Rodriguez is another 2022 draft pick deserving of high marks. \u201cRodrigo\u201d became an immediate impact player<\/a> and fan favorite for Detroit. In his first season, the former Fiesta Bowl MVP recorded 87 tackles (62 solo), one sack, two pass defenses, a forced fumble, and an opposing fumble return.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, he led all rookies that season with 12 TFLs. He was also the first sixth-round rookie since 1987 who became a Week 1 starter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Over the next few seasons, Rodriguez assumed more of a rotational role. Plagued by on-and-off elbow and ankle injuries, he didn\u2019t miss significant time until he tore his ACL in November of 2024. Following his initial surgery and a second clean-up procedure in August of 2025, Rodriguez returned to the active roster in Week 10.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

In the post-draft review<\/a>, it was noted that Rodriguez played safety before converting to \u201can incredibly quick linebacker. He understands how the game flows, although he is small to play linebacker every down (5\u201911\u201d, 232 lbs.). The Lions may use Rodriguez in drop-coverages or convert him to a low-safety role.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Hopefully, once he fully recovers from his ACL injury, he will play a significant role for Detroit in 2026.<\/p>\r\n

Round 6, No. 217 overall: <\/b>James Houston<\/b><\/span><\/a>, OLB, Jackson State<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

After spending his first few months on the practice squad, Houston was promoted to the active roster on Thanksgiving Day. He recorded 2.0 sacks, two solo tackles, and a fumble recovery in five defensive snaps. He had three more sacks in each of the following three games. But after suffering a leg injury in September of 2023, he was placed on injured reserve. He was reactivated in time for the Lions’ 2024 postseason.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns<\/a> in 2024, Houston failed to make an impact. <\/span>H<\/span>owever, he found a new home with the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> in July of 2025. On December 4, 2025, Houston celebrated his 10-yard sack of Jared Goff. But later in the game, he was penalized for roughing the passer. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Described in our post-draft review<\/a> as \u201cthe player most likely to turn heads in training camp,\u201d Houston’s tenacity can occasionally get him in trouble. “Yet, he is an athlete who has a nose for finding the football and playing every down violently.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Round 7, No. 237 overall: <\/b>Chase Lucas<\/b><\/span><\/a>, CB, <\/b>Arizona State<\/h3>\r\n

Primarily a practice squad player, Lucas recorded 6 tackles in the two seasons he was with Detroit.\u00a0<\/span>Placed on injured reserve in December of 2022, he was re-signed to the practice squad. In March of 2024, the San Francisco 49ers<\/a> signed him to their practice squad. Currently on their active roster, Lucas recorded nine tackles with six solo and a pass defense last year. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Described in our post-draft recap as a<\/span> \u201c<\/span>small but quick corner,\u201d Lucas was credited as a solid tackler with decent ball tracking abilities. It was noted, however, that \u201chis ability to make flash plays can shift the flow of a game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Overall, Holmes’ draft selections have withstood the test of time. Two members of the 2022 draft class are elite NFL stars. Four of the eight are impact players with the team. Hopefully, the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft will allow Holmes to be a draft master strategist once again. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

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