Detroit Lions Draft Coverage: 2022 First round big board

Detroit Lions Big Board Tier 2: Elite Prospects, Not Elite Positions

4. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Kyle Hamilton has the argument for best player in this draft class; however, he drops to number four because a good/great pass rusher has a more significant impact on the game versus a good/great safety.

Hamilton does the potential to be a game-changer who could throw positional value out the window. Hamilton will be best served to play all over the defense where the offense is guessing what he is doing on any given play.

With his tools, he can make plays in the backfield against the run, cover tight ends and corners, or play as a deep safety all while lining up in the same position. There are small weaknesses here and there, but Hamilton should be an excellent safety in the NFL; the only question is if he is good enough to warrant such a high pick from the Detroit Lions.

5. Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is another elite prospect who Aaron Glenn would love to have on his team. Gardner projects as a high-level press corner early in his career. Not many corners can match Gardner’s size with a 6-foot-2 height and a nearly 80′ inch wingspan.

Even fewer have the fluidity Gardner has, backpedaling and flipping his hips for the corners that can match his size. For the cherry on top, Gardner can make plays on the ball with nine interceptions in three years.

Gardner looks like the real deal at cornerback, but corners do take a while to adjust to the NFL, and the Lions may not want to take another corner in the top five only two years after taking Okudah thirrd overall.