The Detroit Lions number two overall pick out of the University Of Michigan looks to make an immediate impact on the Lions, and he should be the most talented player on Aaron Glenn’s defense from day one.
Aidan Hutchinson should fit perfectly in Aaron Glenn’s scheme, at Michigan Hutchinson lined up outside tackle 763 snaps out of 794 total snaps. That’s where he did most of his damage and he should be able to do more by playing the same role at the next level. The Lions defensive line finished as the 2nd worst behind the Atlanta Falcons, Aidan should be able to give you a little bit of everything to help improve that. Last year at Michigan he posted 14 sacks, 9 hits, 51 hurries, and 3 batted balls, Hutchinson was also terrific as a run defender.
The Lions defensive line last year was nothing less than terrible, they gave up 2296 total rushing yards along with 19 rushing touchdowns. The addition of Kentucky graduate Josh Paschal should also have a huge impact on the run game and may even be the best run defender on the team, at Kentucky last year he had a whopping 15 TFLs and 5 sacks. Josh Paschal should be a perfect partner in crime with Aidan Hutchinson because of their offsetting abilities, Paschal primarily as a run defender, and Hutchinson primarily as a pass rusher.
Both the Lions defensive additions should also bring tremendous leadership and motor as they were both senior captains on their respective teams. Dan Campbell had this to say about Aidan Hutchinson’s work ethic and motor, “He watches how things are done and how the coaches want them done. He has a motor and he goes. He learns and gets better every day. You just see it. I love that about him.”
With Hutchinson and Paschal joining the mix, this is how I see the defensive looking like week one. At the edge position, I expect Aidan Hutchinson and Romeo Okwara to be the starters while Charles Harris and Julian Okwara rotate in as backups. For the interior line, I expect the starters to be Michael Brockers and Alim McNeill while Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal rotate in, But Josh Paschal can play anywhere on the line so I wouldn’t be surprised if he took snaps at OLB, DE, and DT.
I’m excited to watch the Michigan man play in front of his friends/family and look forward to watching his career unfold in the motor city.
