The Detroit Lions are entering the 2022 NFL Draft needing help in a lot of areas. Where they could use the most help, however, is on the defensive side of the ball.
The 2021 season was a mitigated disaster on that side of the ball for the Lions. They went into the season knowing they would have some struggles, as they are in the early part of a rebuild. But even the most pessimistic of people couldn’t have predicted what occurred.
Detroit had to combat not only poor production but a multitude of injuries as well. Jeff Okudah was the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but has yet to live up to expectations. He has played in only 10 games in two seasons, rupturing his Achilles in the first game of the 2021 season.
That was one of the things that forced the Lions to move Will Harris from safety to cornerback on the perimeter. Undrafted free agents A.J. Parker and Jerry Jacobs were also pressed into action, each receiving more than 300 snaps.
Detroit signed Mike Hughes away from the Kansas City Chiefs for some much-needed depth, but they could still use some reinforcements in the secondary. It would not be a surprise to see them target a cornerback early and often in the 2022 NFL Draft.
If a trade back occurs in the first round, as the Lions own the No. 2 overall pick, a cornerback could come into play. But, over at WalterFootball.com, they have the Lions addressing that need with their second-round pick.
With the 34th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, they have Tennessee cornerback Alontae Taylor mocked to Detroit. Taylor was a good performer in the SEC, so he is battle-tested going up against NFL talent regularly.
Possessing the ideal size and length to play on the perimeter in the NFL, Taylor is a prospect that a team can work on developing. You cannot teach size and length, but the areas that Taylor needs some work in, such as technique and reading plays, can be coached up and improved.
Taylor brings a ton of experience and leadership along with him, as he appeared in 44 games with the Volunteers. What teams will like is that he can play on special teams, which could push him ahead on some boards when compared to similar level prospects. Special teams reps are a great way for a rookie to get their feet wet and earn the trust of the coaching staff while pushing for more playing time.
For a team that needs as much help in the secondary as Detroit does, Taylor could find his way into immediate playing time. Cornerback is arguably the toughest position to adjust to from college to the NFL, but Taylor has the tools to develop into a solid starter.
