5 best edge rushers the Detroit Lions will face in 2022
![ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/734e8454ba2670404b002a7ad1f498886ad6adb4dff0af78247f42fbe383fd76.jpg)
4. Von Miller, Buffalo Bills
Yes, Miller is now 33 years old and he’s not the force he was in his prime. But he still had 9.5 sacks last season for the Broncos and the Rams, and he turned his game up during Los Angeles’ Super Bowl run (93.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, as he tallied four sacks, six quarterback hits and six tackles for loss).
Sam Monson of PFF probably put it best.
"Miller may be a declining force, but he is declining from a position of being the best edge rusher of his generation, so he has plenty of room to slip and still be a significant problem for opposing offenses."
Miller will be a problem for the Lions’ offensive tackles on Thanksgiving Day.
Lions game against Miller: Week 12 (Thanksgiving)
3. Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
After totaling seven sacks in his first two seasons, Gary was starting on a track to be being declared a draft bust as the 12th overall pick in 2019. But then came 2021, when he posted 9.5 sacks with Pro Football Focus crediting him with 81 pressures (69 pressures, per SIS, tied for most among “linebackers” with T.J. Watt).
The Lions held Gary without a sack and mostly away from Goff last season, though he did play less than normal in Week 18. He will be a challenge to keep at bay in the two matchups this year.
Lions games against Gary: Week 9, Week 18