The Detroit Lions only drafted two offensive players in the 2022 NFL draft, trading up in the first round for Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams, and landing Virginia Tech tight end James Mitchell with pick No. 177 in the fifth round.
Mitchell was a three-year starter for the Hokies, earning team captain honors as a redshirt junior, which was, unfortunately, cut short due to an ACL injury in September. Despite recovering from the injury, Mitchell bypassed his final year of eligibility and declared for the NFL draft. If not injured, Mitchell would have likely gone late in the third round or early in the fourth.