The 2022 NFL Draft is without a clear favorite to be the no. 1 overall pick. However, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchison appears to be one of the candidates. But is Hutchison worthy of being the top overall pick and is he good enough to fulfill the promise of a player who will surely be a top-5 selection?
College Career
Hutchison played right away as a true freshman at Michigan, coming off the bench in all 13 games. He became a starter the following year, collecting 4.5 sacks and six defended passes in 13 games. However, his junior season was a lost cause with an injury limiting him to three games.
But Hutchison came back strong as a senior, leading a strong Michigan defense with 14 sacks while helping the Wolverines reach the College Football Playoff. He won national awards for Defensive Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year while also finishing second in the Heisman voting behind Alabama’s Bryce Young.
Pros
Hutchison played multiple positions on the Michigan defensive line during his career but excelled the most when he was a full-time edge rusher in 2021. He has a quick-twitch, impressive strength, and a variety of pass-rushing moves that help him to get after quarterbacks consistently.
Hutchison complements his physical tools with great energy and an impressive motor, as he never gives up on a play and never stops moving. Also, his contributions as a run stopper shouldn’t be overlooked, as Hutchison doesn’t get pushed off the line of scrimmage easily by aggressive offensive linemen and is a sound tackler when wrapping up running backs.
Cons
While the production and pass-rushing moves are there, Hutchison has good but not elite athleticism for an NFL pass-rusher. Compared to some of the pass-rushers who have been selected first overall over the last decade or so, he doesn’t necessarily measure up.
His quickness and initial burst off the line may not measure up when compared to the top pass-rushers in the NFL. However, he does have the work ethic to improve in certain areas and round out his game as much as possible, even if he’s not an elite athlete at the next level.
Projection
Whether Hutchison will be the first overall pick is a matter of preference for the Jaguars or a team that trades into that spot. He certainly has the traits of someone who will be a productive pass rusher in the NFL, making him a somewhat safe selection. There will be players who have a higher ceiling and more potential upside than Hutchison, which could be preferred with selections at the top of the draft. However, Hutchison still projects to be an above-average pass rusher in the NFL for the next eight to 10 years, which means he will likely go somewhere in the top-5 and will undoubtedly be a top-10 pick.