The Detroit Lions deciding to add an edge rusher in this year's draft could buy back a ton of goodwill from fans.
With the 17th overall pick, as well as the 50th overall pick, Detroit has a shot to finally add some long-term firepower next to Aidan Hutchinson in 2026. While offensive tackle might be a slightly bigger need, pass rusher should be right behind that position on the teams' list of needs.
There aren't that many starting-caliber tackles in this year's class, but there are plenty of edge rushers worth investing in. That's what makes this a good draft year for the Lions, and basically any team in need of pass rushing depth. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman hit this point home in his latest draft piece, writing that this year's pass rushers are the "strength" of the class overall.
I expect at least three edge players to go in the top 10 with Reese, Bailey and Bain. After that, I think Auburn’s Keldric Faulk and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor go in the first round, but then it’s a guessing game. There’s talent, but not much of a consensus.
Feldman praises the one positional group Lions must nail in this year's draft
Detroit's been mocked between 17 and 50 to be grabbing an edge rusher, with names like Malachi Lawrence, Gabe Jacas, Derrick Moore, and Dani Dennis-Sutton most often connected to the team. In Feldman's write-up, though Lawrence feels a bit out of reach for Detroit as he has him tabbed as a potential 1st-rounder. Zion Young and T.J. Parker also earn this sleeper tag from Feldman.
Additionally, he lists Cashius Howell and R Mason Thomas as two other edge rushers to consider on Day 1 or 2, although they feel a bit riskier for the Lions at 50th overall after respectively disappointing measurements at this year's combine.
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Based on Feldman's assessment, it's clear that the Lions should be seriously considering taking a pass rusher no later than the 2nd round. There's too much drop off across the board this year in terms of NFL-ready talent in this class, and that drop off for edge rushers comes in around Day 3.
Could the Lions also buck back against this strategy and trade back into the 3rd round for a pass rusher? Of course, and that's something seriously worth monitoring considering general manager Brad Holmes' propensity for pick swaps. But, it just feels too risky at this point to not net a top pass rusher when the team is on the board in Round 2.
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