Detroit Lions must add veteran to address lingering defensive question

The Detroit Lions have addressed several of their offseason needs between free agency and the draft. But it's impossible to check off every need in a significant way.

Pro Football Focus' Zoltan Buday took a closer look at the top remaining question facing each team after the draft. For the Lions, it might be easy to predict.

"With the Lions offense remaining intact, the team focused only on defense this offseason, and justifiably so. But while the additions at cornerback should have a significant impact, it is to be seen whether star edge defender Aidan Hutchinson got enough help in the pass-rushing department."

"Detroit signed veteran interior defender D.J. Reader, but he is coming off a season-ending injury. Meanwhile, Marcus Davenport is trying to revive his career following a disappointing season in Minnesota."

Adding Reader will help the Lions' defensive front in multiple ways, and Davenport is expected to have a healthy resurgence. In the draft Mekhi Wingo was added, and he should be able to help. After missing most of last season, James Houston is practically a fresh addition to the mix off the edge.

But the Lions may need to make one more move to fortify the pass rush, and it should be on the radar.

Detroit Lions must add a veteran to bolster pass rush

This PFF analysis isn't off base to proclaim pass rush as the biggest post-draft question mark for the Lions. Aidan Hutchinson can be expected to produce, as can Alim McNeill, but there are question marks otherwise.

At this point, of course, the market is pretty picked over in terms of players who could provide a dramatic boost. Even with that in mind, there are some decent edge rusher options out there.

Bud Dupree is one option who has been suggested.

Emmanuel Ogbah might be the best choice. In a limited role for the Dolphins last season (246 snaps), he had 5.5 sacks with 20 pressures (according to PFF). Before missing eight games in 2022, he had back-to-back seasons with nine sacks in 2020 and 2021. He missed the Chiefs' postseason run in 2019, but he did get a ring and had 5.5 sacks in 10 games that season.

Whoever they may choose, the Lions should be looking for a veteran edge rusher to answer their remaining question on the defensive side of the ball.