The Detroit Lions have added more pass-rush help to their defense to kick off Day 2 of the NFL Draft by selecting Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal with the No. 46 overall pick in the second round.
A super athletic pass rusher with position versatility, Paschal (6-3, 268) recorded 15.5 tackles for loss, second most in the SEC last season. He also recorded 5.5 sacks among his 53 total tackles in 12 starts. He plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, which the Lions certainly need more of up front.
"Versatility is one of the biggest keys to my game," Paschal said Friday night after being selected by Detroit. "I move all across the front. I'm very versatile."
Paschal plays the run really well and has good instincts, adding another impact player along Detroit's front with some position versatility.
A three-year starter and team captain at Kentucky, Paschal played defensive end in defensive coordinator Brad White's hybrid front, but he also saw snaps at linebacker and inside as a three-technique.
He was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and overcame several operations to return to the Wildcats a year later. He finished third in school history with 37.0 tackles for loss.
"I learned a lot through that whole time," Paschal said of going through his cancer diagnosis and recovery. "I learned not to not only take this game but life for granted.
"To take every day and every moment and bless it no matter if it's what I'm doing on the practice field or if it's just waking up in the morning. Every day is a blessing and I'm beyond blessed to be in the position I'm in now. I feel like everything came full circle and I'm beyond blessed to be a Lion."
View photos of defensive end Josh Paschal.
Kentucky defensive end Joshua Paschal (4) runs after intercepting the ball during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Kentucky defensive end Joshua Paschal (4) runs 77 yards after intercepting a Mississippi State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal (4) blocks the kick of Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks (37) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal (4) celebrates after sacking UT Martin quarterback John Bachus III (18) during the first half of the NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal (38) runs a drill during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal (38) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Kentucky linebacker Joshua Paschal blocks a punt by Eastern Michigan punter Jake Julien which turned the ball over to Kentucky leading to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won the game 24-20. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal catches a pass during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal (38) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky defensive lineman Joshua Paschal runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal (4) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov.13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal (4) lines up against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal (4) pursues Florida quarterback Emory Jones (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal (4) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov.13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
He's a physical defender wherever he lines up and plays the run extremely well, similar to defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who the Lions took with the No. 2 overall pick Thursday night. Paschal said he met Hutchinson at the NFL Scouting Combine, and can't wait to get to Detroit and starting working alongside him.
Paschal is scheme diverse, which Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will love.
