While the Detroit Lions managed to finally land an edge rusher in free agency, signing D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal, it doesn't mean they've netted their starting EDGE2 next to Aidan Hutchinson.
Wonnum has the upside to be a potentially critical part of the Lions' run defense this season, but beyond that, it doesn't feel like he'll be posting similar sack numbers to Al-Quadin Muhammad in 2026 barring a huge breakout from the young defender.
That's likely fine for the Lions, though, as it's growing more evident that they're looking to cheaply maintain a contending roster by drafting well and making small-scale deals like this.
Cat Crave's site expert, Dean Jones, spoke about Wonnum's previous impact for the Carolina Panthers, and had a fair warning about Wonnum's expected production:
"Big things were expected of D.J. Wonnum when he joined the Panthers. He dealt with an injury during his first summer in Carolina that led to severe health complications. The flashes over the second half of 2024 were encouraging, but he didn't build on this positive momentum last season."
He added, "Wonnum does a lot of the dirty work that goes unnoticed. Anyone expecting double-digit sacks is kidding themselves, but he could be a decent rotational edge capable of being impactful against the run."
Panthers expert offers fair warning about Wonnum after Lions signing
It sounds like, based on this analysis of Wonnum, the Lions found their replacement for Josh Paschal as a rotational defensive end. Additionally, it seems like Wonnum could be great competition for the Lions' 2025 defensive end pick, Ahmed Hassanein, as he works back from an injury suffered ahead of his debut year.
Watching tape of Wonnum, you're encouraged by his relentlessness against offensive linemen in attemping to bend corners. But, he's really solid at identifying and plugging gaps created on the field, something Detroit struggled with in 2025. That's got to be music to Kelvin Sheppard's ears, especially after he was forced to eat crow regarding the Lions' run defense in his first year at DC.
Wonnum finished up his quiet 2025 season with three sacks, one pick, 42 total tackles, and three passes defended. The former 4th round pick has a lot of work to do to endear himself to Lions fans.
READ MORE: NFL writer has Lions joining elite company in not-so-elite category in 2026
This signing does not mean Detroit should be done signing edge rushers, nor does it mean they're not going to look for one in the first or second round of this year's draft.
There are still a few noteworthy names on the market for them to take a serious glance at, including Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney. Adding depth here should be paramount for Sheppard and the Lions' defense, and Wonnum shouldn't make them feel like they can clock out.