The Detroit Lions finished with the best record in the NFC this past season, but in typical Lions fashion, it ended in heartbreak, as they fell to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Throughout Detroit’s run all year, one thing was painfully obvious: a lack of pass-rushing depth.
Yes, Aidan Hutchinson is one of the best defensive ends in football, but he went down with a broken leg early in the season, which destroyed the Lions’ front seven.
Marcus Davenport only played in two games due to his own injury issues, and while midseason acquisition Za’Darius Smith was impressive, Detroit just released him.
Even with Hutchinson set to return in 2025, it’s obvious the Lions need some help in the trenches, which is why they were named as one of the top potential trade suitors for Myles Garrett, who ultimately signed an extension with the Cleveland Browns.
Now, Detroit will have to turn to the NFL Draft for a solution, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks the Lions may get aggressive and try to trade up for a pass rusher.
“It’s fun to imagine the Lions trading up to make an all-in move for top-ranked edge rusher Abdul Carter, but that’s probably not realistic,” Barnwell wrote. “Could they jump from No. 28 into the teens for Mike Green (Marshall) or Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), though? This might be the time for Detroit to take a bigger swing on that second edge rusher next, especially with Hutchinson now eligible for what will surely be a significant contract extension.”
Given that the Lions are absolutely Super Bowl contenders, it makes total sense for them to take a risk here, and Green in particular could represent a fantastic addition for Detroit’s defensive front.
To be quite frank, the Lions’ defense as a whole could use some work, as Detroit ranked just 20th in that category this past season. But a great defensive unit starts on the line, and if the Lions are able to find a dynamic partner for Hutchinson, it could mean big things for them—and bad news for the rest of the league—in 2025 and beyond.
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