Tag: nfl draft

Five things to know about Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson

Aidan Hutchinson is no stranger to the Detroit Lions after growing up in metro Detroit and playing at the University of Michigan

So on Thursday night at the NFL Draft when the Lions were on the board with the second overall pick, he was thrilled to see the Detroit area code when his phone lit up.

“I knew that was definitely a deep sigh of relief from me and my whole family for sure,’’ Hutchinson said on Friday at a media briefing at the Lions facility in Allen Park. 

An edge rusher, Hutchinson fills a need on Detroit’s defense and he couldn’t be happier to be playing near home.

Five things to know about Hutchinson:

1. He should be a good fit in the Lions’ defensive scheme. “I think the play style is just relentless, it’s nasty and  it’s what the whole coaching staff was brought here under coach Campbell, that’s the mentality,’’ Hutchinson said. “I come in and bring that same mentality that’s why I’m a perfect fit for this scheme and the Detroit grit. I think I fit that mold.’’

2. He loved his pre-draft visit with the Lions. “Out of all the visits, the Lions was one of my most seamless ones because of how smooth it was and it was so easy to talk football and to communicate with all these coaches.’’ Hutchinson said. “I think that’s going to lead to some future success, for sure.’’

3. On Friday, after a flight in from Las Vegas and not much sleep, Hutchinson said it had not hit him yet that he was a Lion. “Just walking around the building today with my family, it’s just weird. Growing up I was a Michigan guy, I’m around Detroit sports so much,’’ Hutchinson said. “To think I’m a Lion seems like a wild dream to me, but now it’s kind of come true. It’s wild but I’m soaking it all in, I’m sure one of these days it’s going to hit me.’’

4. After following in his father’s footsteps at Michigan, Aidan is in uncharted waters now. His dad, Chris, was a Michigan captain who won Team MVP in his final season in 1992. Instead of playing in the NFL, Chris attended medical school and now works as an emergency room physician at Royal Oak Beaumont. “I’m starting to get into territory that my dad hasn’t even been in, it’s starting to get a little foreign for him, I’ll have to navigate this on my own,’’ Aidan Hutchinson said with a smile.

5. He grew up a Detroit sports fan but admitted he doesn’t have a ton of great memories from the Lions, mentioning the 0-16 season. He wasn’t born when the Lions won their last playoff game on Jan. 5, 1992. “I’ve been to a couple LIons games and the atmosphere is great. When the Lions are winning ball games it’s like happy wife, happy life,’’ Hutchinson said. “The fans are just so into it, so I just hope that we’ve got the right pieces coming in, the coaches are right, we have to get this ball rolling.’’

Lions WR Jameson Williams said he’ll be ready to go at training camp

Jameson Williams said his surgically repaired knee will be ready to go for training camp.

The wide receiver from Alabama was drafted with the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft by the Lions and then introduced to Detroit on Friday.

“I’m excited to join the offense, I feel we can do pretty big things,’’ Williams said.

He tore his ACL in the national championship game on Jan. 10. On Friday he was 13 weeks post surgery and did not hesitate to say he would be ready for camp. Lions GM Brad Holmes would not give a timetable after he drafted Williams, but said he was comfortable about when he was expected to return. 

Williams also did not hesitate to talk about his speed, a big reason he was so attractive to the Lions.

He didn’t run the 40 at the NFL Combine due to his knee.

“I would’ve run the fastest 40,’’ Williams said.

For this year’s Combine?

“Ever,’’ he said.

His  parents met on their high school track team before they went on to compete in college track. His siblings compete in track.

Williams set a Missouri state high school record in the 300 hurdles at Cardinal Ritter in St. Louis winning a 2018 state championship. He broke the record that had been set by Ezekiel Elliott. He also won a state title in the 400 meters.

Speed is in Williams’ DNA, but he said there’s been plenty of hard work along the way too. He said he was the fastest in his family when he was 12 or 13.

Williams’ speed will allow him to open up the field vertically. (Watch his film at Alabama and his speed jumps off the charts.)

Holmes says qualities in Hutchinson, Williams have been overlooked

Lions GM Brad Holmes was all smiles after he was able to nab two players in the first round of the NFL draft that he considers game-changers.

With the second overall pick on Thursday night, the Lions drafted defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who played at Michigan. Then Holmes traded up to the 12th pick to select wide receiver Jameson Williams from Alabama.

Hutchinson was a no-brainer. He and DE Travon Walker were likely to go 1-2 in some order on Thursday night. Indeed, Walker was drafted by Jacksonville with the top pick.

Hutchinson had 14 sacks for the Wolverines last season. He’s a leader, a high-energy player. He seems like a perfect fit for a Dan Campbell coached team.

But, there’s more.

“I think what gets lost is how effective he is in the run game. It’s a three-down league and I think what he does in the run game is overlooked in a good way because of the sacks,’’ Holmes said.

Hutchinson, who played at Dearborn Divine Child, is a hometown favorite.

“I know he’ll make his mark in this community, he already has so it’s going to continue to trend up from here. We’re thrilled with what he’s going to bring to our organization,’’ Holmes said.

Holmes had looked before the start of the draft about trading up for Williams.

“This guy is tough, he’s gritty, he’s a dog, he loves football. He just fits what we’re about,’’ Holmes said.

He also thinks Williams has the ability to be a game-changer, but the Lions have to do their part to set him up for success.

Holmes would not share a timetable for Holmes’ return from injury — he tore his ACL in the national championship game. 

“We feel very good with where we expect him to return,’’ Holmes said.

On Friday, the Lions have one second-round pick at 46th overall and one in the third round at 97th overall.

Hutchinson and Williams are expected at the Lions facility on Friday.