The Detroit Lions are preparing to tackle the NFL Draft in a few weeks, and given the relative strength of the roster, anything is possible in terms of additions.
There's a few places of stronger need, though, and as the draft board takes shape for pick No. 28, it will be most important to focus on these places. Naturally, the media has honed in on the defensive line as the biggest spot of need.
It's tough to say who will be available when the Lions pick, but already, a consensus is building about what represents a best case scenario for the franchise. Bleacher Report and writer Brad Gagnon sees the defense adding one of four elite edge rushers as Detroit's dream scenario in the first-round.
"Just give the Lions a shot at Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, Mykel Williams or Donovan Ezeiruaku, and it's as dreamy as it gets for a team picking in the bottom five. They need someone like that to support Aidan Hutchinson on the edge."
Detroit could certainly go for a guard given the need for youth in the trenches. It makes more sense, though, that if the right pass rusher is there, the Lions would jump at the chance to boost a needy spot up front. However unlikely it may be, Green stands out as a fantastic fit for Detroit.
Detroit Lions would be lucky to add Mike Green to boost pass rush in draft
The analysis of Gagnon is correct in terms of the ideal circumstances of the first-round of the draft. Detroit needs pass rush help badly, and there figures to be plenty of young talent on the board given the relative depth of that position this season.
Naturally, there's a few players that stand out strongest in terms of fit with the Lions. Green is an intriguing player in this mold given what he was able to do with Marshall in 2024. Last season, he put up 17 sacks and 23 tackles for-loss in what was considered a major breakout season. That proves he could be ready to take the next leap into league stardom.
Though Green didn't test at the NFL Combine, his Marshall pro day was a sight to behold. He posted a 6.85-second three-cone drill time and a 4.25-second time in the 20-yard shuttle, both marks which would have placed him near the top of the defensive line and linebacker class if done in Indianapolis. He also enjoyed a solid Senior Bowl, getting him on the radar as a potential first-round pick.
The biggest problem? Green could be gone quickly due to these metrics, and many mocks now have him disappearing off the board in the teens. Questions about Green's character could push him down the board, leading to an interesting situation.
Assuming the Lions have all their questions answered about Green off the field and assuming he is available, he would be a freakish fit to boost Detroit's pass rush in a tantalizing way.
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