5 edge rushers the Lions could aggressively target to replace Marcus Davenport

4. Jonathan Cooper, Denver Broncos

Cooper has followed his 8.5-sack, 72-total tackle breakout last season with three sacks early this season. He's Pro Football Focus' 37th-best edge defender through Week 3, with a top-15 run defense grade at the position (73.3).

The Broncos are going to carry another big dead money hit attached to Russell Wilson in 2025, with 36 players currently under contract for next year (according to Over The Cap). Among their current edge rushers, Baron Browning is also in a contract and it may come down to picking one or the other of him or Cooper.

Where the Broncos are, or will be, on the trade deadline seller scale is unclear. But Cooper could be pricing himself out them being able to retain him next March, so in that respect he'd be a tradeable asset. And with that, the Lions could come calling to see what it may take to get him.

3. Josh Uche, New England Patriots

Uche was easy to tab as a possible free agent target for the Lions before they signed Davenport in March. He went back to the Patriots on a one-year, $3 million deal, while apparently turning down multiple better offers. However loyalty and familiarity played into that decision can be appreciated.

Uche has continued to be used as a part-time player so far this season (67 snaps over three games). That said, his Pro Football Focus grades as a pass rusher (79.9) and run defender (69.5) are both top-25 among edge defenders thus far.

The 1-2 Patriots are in a reset/rebuild year in Year 1 post-Bill Belichick. So players who are in a contract year are potential trade targets for other teams. Uche, a University of Michigan product, could be on the Lions' radar to replace Davenport if they try to go the trade route to do it.