The 2022 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Aidan Hutchinson 2022 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
Size: 6-foot-6, 265 pounds
Class: Senior
2021 stats: 62 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Hutchinson had a great career that saw him become one of the best defensive players in the country. Now he is headed to the 2022 NFL Draft.
Following in his father’s steps, Hutchinson enrolled at Michigan after being a four-star recruit. He was able to get on the field right away and had 15 tackles as a freshman. His role increased as a sophomore, as Hutchinson had 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Michigan went 9-4 that season and finished the year with a loss in the Citrus Bowl. Three games into his junior season, Hutchinson suffered a fractured right ankle. The Wolverines suffered without him and finished 2-4 on the COVID-shortened season. Although he could have entered the 2021 NFL Draft, Hutchinson returned to school and had an amazing season. He finished the year with 16.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, which led him to finish second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Michigan was able to make the College Football Playoff behind his leadership.
Following such a great college career, Hutchinson is now looking forward to the next level. He is a projected early first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Hutchinson has prototypical size for an NFL defensive end. He stands 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, which is enough to more than hold up on the edge. With his size, comes strength. Hutchinson will not be overpowered by bigger and stronger offensive linemen very often. He can shed blocks because of his strength. On top of that, he also has great length.
When it comes to pass-rushing moves, Hutchinson has a wide variety of ways to get to the quarterback. He can do several different pass-rushing moves because he knows how to use his hands. This includes having impressive counter moves, if his initial pass-rush plan is stopped. He is technically refined with his pass-rushing moves more than anyone else in the class.
He is also solid against the run, as he sets the edge well. Hutchinson sheds blocks well and then has a good enough motor to go make plays on the ball carrier. He maintains good gap integrity on most run plays and can be an every-down player in the NFL because of his run defense.
Hutchinson wins with power and is not a good speed rusher. While he can convert his speed to power well, he isn’t going to blow right by NFL offensive tackles. Most offensive tackles will need to focus on his power, hand usage and flexibility rather than worrying about his speed.
He also doesn’t have the quickest first step at the line of scrimmage. Hutchinson has a decent burst at the snap of the ball, but like speed rushing, this is not the main way that he wins. He will need to work on getting a better jump at the snap of the ball.
While Hutchinson does execute his assignment on running plays, he could make more plays on the ball. At times when the ball is run to his side, he will take up blockers, but allow other people to make the plays. He can shed and get to the ball carrier, but could do it with more consistency.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick
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