Could This Man Be The Answer To The Detroit Lions Woes..?

The last time the Detroit Lions won more games than they lost was in 2017. The last time the Detroit Lions had a good season was in 2014. In 2008, they didn’t win a single game. The last time they won a playoff game was in 1991. And the last time they won their conference was in 1957. 

Anyone interested in NFL betting knows better than to put money on the Lions. They are currently at +10,000 to win the Super Bowl in 2023. 

The Detroit Lions are not a new team. They are not a team that is about to fold. They have been able to pick in the top 5 of most drafts over the last 20 years. So, what is going on in that camp that is preventing them from winning games, let alone silverware? 

Many had blamed the team’s poor performance on quarterback Matthew Stafford. But, the year he left the Lions he took his new team to the Super Bowl and the Lions had yet another poor season. 

There is clearly something wrong deep within the Lions camp, so it is too much for the Lions’ fans to hope that one new player could come in and change it all? 

Very possibly… 

But that hasn’t stopped Lions fans from talking about their new Defensive End – Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions picked this guy 2nd overall in the Draft this year, in what was overall a risky and unexpected Draft for the team. Some of their choices could really pay off over the next few years. 

Today, we are going to look at who Aidan Hutchinson is and what he could offer the Detroit Lions over the next 15-20 years. 

What Is A Defensive End? 

Typically the Defensive End (DE) is the widest person on the defensive line. There is usually one DE on the left and one on the right. 

As attacking plays have changed over the years, so has the role of the Defensive End. 

There are two main types of DE – waiting and crashing DEs. 

Crashing DEs are power tacklers, they don’t give the attacking team a chance to make their play. 

Waiting DEs (also known as stand-up DEs) will allow the attacking team to partially make their play before shutting them down. 

Who Is Aidan Hutchinson? 

Hutchinson was born on August 9th, 2000 in Plymouth, Michigan. 

He had always been a fan of football and played it a lot in high school. To help his team out he often switched positions – during high school he played defensive end, tight end, offensive line, and long snapper. 

He committed to the University of Michigan’s football team. His father Chris had also played football for this team. His father had signed for the Cleveland Browns after college but an illness he caught caused him to retire before his first season. 

His father went back to school and studied medicine. He became an Emergency Room physician – this was where he met Aidan’s mother. 

Aidan Hutchinson At College 

Hutchinson played all four of his College seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. 

His first three seasons were solid, but not hugely impressive. In 2018, he played 13 games and made 15 combined tackles. 

In 2019, he made 68 tackles in 13 games, with 4.5 sacks on top of that. He played 3 games in 2020 before he had to pull out because of an injury. 

2021 was his final year with the Wolverines – this was an incredibly impressive year. He broke the university record for most sacks in a single season with 14 sacks, he made 54 tackles, 3 interceptions, and forced 2 fumbles. 

That season he won many awards including the Ted Hendricks Award, Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football.

He declared for the 2022 Draft and was picked 2nd overall. 

Detroit Lions Defense? Can Hutchinson Add To It? 

In the 2021-22 season, the Lions’ defense was ranked 31st out of 32nd. There is a lot of room for improvement in the defensive teams that the Lions have put together. 

Hutchinson is not the only Defensive End on the Lions team, but the current DEs have been very ineffective for years now. They have 6 other DEs on the team, however, Hutchinson has already moved to the top of the list. 

Hutchinson himself has stated that he is excited to join the Lions and to help them rebuild their defensive side. 

Is Hutchinson A Good Fit For The Lions? 

When we look at players picked in the Draft, we like to think about how a player might fit into the pre-established squads within their teams. 

Things are a little simpler when it comes to the Lions. Why? Because nearly every team they have needs to be built from the ground up. 

If anything, Hutchinson is a player that could have a whole squad built around him. He has the power, fitness, and defense IQ to carry a team and he will hopefully improve the Lions’ statistics next season.