By Blessing 
As training camp draws closer, discussions around the Detroit Lions’ most valuable players are heating up.
While quarterback Jared Goff is a clear centerpiece, several other standout players are making strong cases as the team’s most impactful talents. This week, Lions beat reporters Nolan Bianchi and Richard Silva explored that very topic on the latest episode of the Gritiron Gang podcast, where they drafted hypothetical teams using current Lions players — with the understanding that Goff would be the quarterback for both squads.
With the No. 1 pick, Silva didn’t hesitate to go with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Bianchi followed by selecting star offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
“I think Aidan Hutchinson is the obvious choice. I think it’s probably the second-most impactful position on the field,” Silva explained. “I think the drop-off between Hutch and the next edge rusher, which is not a knock on the rest of the edge rushers as much as it is praise for Hutch, is larger than some of the other gaps between other positions.”
The draft continued with some interesting choices. At No. 3, Amon-Ra St. Brown was taken, followed by safety Brian Branch. Kerby Joseph, another rising safety, went fifth, and speedy wideout Jameson Williams rounded out the top six picks.
The exercise shed light on just how deep and talented Detroit’s current roster is.