The Detroit Lions have lacked consistent pass rush this side of Aidan Hutchinson for too long. The level of effort to fix that has been called into question at times, but this offseason multiple edge rushers were added in an effort to find the answer.
Looking to the interior defensive line, the Lions are bullish on a rebound from Alim McNeill after he was clearly not at full strength coming off a torn ACL last season. A step forward from second-year man Tyleik Williams is also going to be important.
But after those guys, there's a lot of hope/projection for who might have a notable role in the defensive tackle rotation. Rookies Tyre West and Skyler Gill-Howard are interesting, while fingers will be crossed about Levi Onwuzurike's health. Third-year man Mekhi Wingo was a healthy scratch for the majority of last season and has yet to find his footing. Jay Tufele has experience, but he's not a needle mover.
It's not a reach to suggest a proven defensive tackle will become a need for the Lions before the season starts. An injury to McNeill or Williams would put things in dire straits, and the effort to get back to the top of the NFC North this season can't walk a tightrope like that.
Potential cut candidate could be in play for the Lions
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has offered five cut candidates who should be on the radar of of the other 31 teams if they are let go. A couple of them might end up making sense for the Lions, since they play positions where there are some general depth concerns right now, but let's focus on one, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead.
"Despite his steady production over the years, Arik Armstead has emerged as a potential cap casualty for the Jacksonville Jaguars."
"Releasing the defensive lineman would save the team nearly $15 million, which could be used to shore up weaker areas on the roster ahead of training camp."
"While Armstead put up 5.5 sacks in 2025 and was an important cog in the defensive trenches for one of the league's better run defenses, he'll be 33 years old in November and has worn down the tread on his tires over a decade-plus in the NFL. Keeping him around may be a luxury the Jags cannot afford, especially if he takes a step back after his best pass-rushing season in four years."
Kay noted how Armstead's production, and eventually his snap count, faded late last season, with no sacks after Week 11 and less than a 50 percent snap share in four of the final five regular season games.
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Still, as Kay detailed, Armstead should have no trouble finding a new team if the Jaguars let him go.
"If Armstead is cut, he'll still draw plenty of calls for his ability to be a reliable veteran presence in a defensive-line rotation. Contenders can't have enough quality D-linemen to cycle in over the course of an NFL game."
"Getting one of Armstead's caliber on a budget deal would be far too alluring to pass over."
That the Jaguars haven't already cut Armstead is odd, with the ability to clear nearly $14.5 million in cap space and open playing time for younger offseason acquisitions. He is also, on some level, a potential trade candidate between now and Week 1 if the Jaguars are satisfied with who else they have at defensive tackle.
The Lions' possible interest in Armstead, should he become available, would be firmly rooted in the cost beyond the potential need for a defensive tackle. But if he prioritizes chasing a ring somewhere after going 0-for-2 in Super Bowls to this point in his career, maybe would come at a bargain rate.
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