The Lions Have An Offseason Priority That Nobody Is Talking About
Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
When the Detroit Lions season ended, many wondered how the team could improve. A 15-2 record and home-field advantage in the playoffs had evaporated in a Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. Assistant coaches disappeared quicker than a pair of double ventis in Dan Campbell’s office. For a team that was a doormat for decades, the Lions were suddenly a model franchise, just without a championship banner to show for it.
But the Lions rebuilt their staff and are now focused on 2025. Reinforcing a defense that had 13 players on injured reserve at the end of last season needs to be a priority this spring. By adding the depth Detroit needs, they could push through and get to where they want to go — their first Super Bowl appearance.
Trades for Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Trey Hendrickson have filled the airwaves, with people trying to match-make a superstar partner for Aidan Hutchinson. But while the Lions’ defensive line needs to be addressed, fans may be looking in the wrong place.
Yes, the Lions suffered when Hutchinson went down with a broken leg. There isn’t a team in the NFL that would have stayed afloat when they lost a player who, with less than five games, was still in the top 10 of quarterback pressures when the calendar turned to December.
Still, the Lions were still great at creating pressure, as their 26.2% pressure rate was fourth in the NFL. There was just one problem: they had trouble finishing the job, finishing 23rd in the league with 37 sacks last season.
It’s a number that leads Lions fans to want to see Brad Holmes find someone who not only pressures the quarterback, but actually puts him on the turf. Za’Darius Smith was a short-term solution to the problem, but his contract situation probably means he’ll be released. Even if he returns, he’s not the impact pass rusher he once was with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, and the Lions should perhaps look for someone with higher upside.
Garrett and Hendrickson are the big-ticket names, and maybe a better use of resources. Garrett will require a massive amount of draft capital and possibly a new contract to pry him away from the Cleveland Browns. But Hendrickson could be available as the Cincinnati Bengals look to allocate their resources toward keeping the trio of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase. and Tee Higgins together.
Even then, the Lions may have to give up a boatload of draft picks to acquire Hendrickson and at age 30, they may be reluctant to ink him to a long-term contract extension.
This makes any attempt to upgrade on the edge feel like a pipe dream, but the more realistic approach is to improve the interior of their defense.
Like many areas of the Lions’ defense injuries played a key factor. Alim McNeill has been a blossoming talent in the middle of the Lions defensive line, and he’s in for the long haul, signing a four-year, $97 million contract extension back in October. But a torn ACL suffered last December has jeopardized his availability for the start of next season.
The Lions also have a pending free agent in Levi Onwuzurike. The 26-year-old finished the season with a career-high 47 quarterback pressures, but may not be a player the Lions want to invest in with a second contract.
With McNeill rehabbing and Onwuzurike projected to get $8.25 million per season (according to Pro Football Focus), there’s a crater in the middle of the defensive line. But the Lions may be going shopping at the right time, considering the talent that is available on the market.
Over The Cap projects the Lions to have $51.8 million to spend in free agency. While it’s wise not to spend it all at once, signing Super Bowl hero Milton Williams from the Philadelphia Eagles or Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys could fill the void.
The Lions also have the luxury of diving into a loaded defensive tackle class in the draft. Although they have the 28th overall pick in the draft, they could still land an impact talent. Perhaps Mississippi’s Walter Nolen or Michigan’s Kenneth Grant may still be on the board.
Neither of those options are as sexy to make a big trade to pair an elite talent with Hutchinson, but it would do the job for a team that needs depth along the defensive line. With the Lions’ run defense also finishing 18th in rushing yards per attempt (4.5), rebuilding the interior of the defensive line is just as important as finding difference-makers on the edge. You won’t find many talking about it, but this might be the best thing Detroit can do with their longer-than-expected offseason.
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