Detroit Lions three-round 2022 mock draft with number one pick

Detroit Lions 2022 mock draft

1a. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

The Detroit Lions have completely reset at the quarterback position, moving on from 2009 top pick Matthew Stafford and bringing in a pretty high-profile replacement in Jared Goff.

Although Goff may be the scapegoat for the Los Angeles Rams’ lack of a Super Bowl win in recent years, he’s proven to be an effective game manager, and perhaps a fresh start elsewhere will help him tremendously.

Either that, or it will expose him in a big way.

If the Detroit Lions earn the number one overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, there is absolutely no question that Goff will have had something to do with that.

If the Lions get the number one pick next offseason, quarterback will probably be at the top of the priority list, and Sam Howell is certainly a player right now with a near-consensus QB1 ranking, though we’ve toyed with plenty of other scenarios.

In his first two seasons at North Carolina, Howell has thrown for 7,227 yards and 68 touchdowns compared to just 14 interceptions. He’s considered a clear Heisman Trophy favorite in the 2021 college football season.

He’s drawing some comparisons to Baker Mayfield for his body type and playing style, and while Mayfield has had mixed results as an NFL quarterback, Howell may presently be the most NFL-ready guy at the position and will have to be obviously beaten out for his spot as QB1 in the 2022 class.