The Detroit Lions have spent the offseason reshaping their roster, and as the OTA schedule has been playing out, they have had a chance to get a feel as to how their moves have paid off thus far.
To most, the Lions have one of the stronger rosters in the NFL this season. That's especially true on offense, where there are few question marks other than a rebuilt offensive line. Defensively, there are still some issues that the franchise has to monitor as they get set for the season.
At this point, those potential problems are still putting a bit of a damper on Detroit's fortunes in the minds of some for 2026. Sports Illustrated revealed a reason for all teams to have hope and mope this offseason. Writer Matt Verderame likes the Lions roster overall, but still thinks the defense offers a significant reason for the franchise to mope.
"The defense is a huge concern. Defensive backs Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are coming off Achilles and knee injuries, respectively, and the pass rush still has plenty of question marks outside of Aidan Hutchinson."
The health of the defensive backfield is one thing, but questioning the pass rush has been a familiar frustration with those in the media the last handful of years. Detroit did address it in the draft this year, but there can be a thought that they didn't do enough to boost it in free agency given their relative inaction there and in the trade market.
Seeing will be the only way some believe that a meaningful change has been made. Until then, it's likely that these questions will continue to brew about how ready the Lions are to take a step forward defensively this year.
Dan Campbell is encouraged by look of Lions' pass rush this spring
It's easy to talk about the health of Branch and Joseph as a major concern defensively, but the Lions believe they have enough in the backfield to offset things as they recover. The more interesting part of the analysis involves Detroit's pass rush.
There's been a notion that the Lions haven't added enough this offseason to rush the passer, even though they signed veteran D.J. Wonnum and drafted Derrick Moore in the second-round. There are high hopes for that duo around the production of Aidan Hutchinson, and Campbell even cited a few other veterans as key cogs in an improved operation so far this spring.
"It's early, but I'll say, for all the drill work that we get in, there's times where we can turn it up a little bit. (D.J.) Wonnum looks good. We got some length now. I like where Wonnum's at. He was coming off that injury. Hasn't missed a day with us. Been putting in the work. He's doing a good job in spring."
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"We got some guys now, between Wonnum and and (Payton) Turner and this pup (Anthony) Lucas. We got some length. We got some size, length and athletic ability on the perimeter. You can't wait for training camp. Kacy (Rodgers) is doing a good job with them and they all have their own little niche, their own knack. Just watching them fundamentally get a little bit better and work their craft and then we'll see what camp looks like. It'll be good."
The Lions have multiple different players to throw at the opposition, and that variety is going to have to be key for them if they want to build quality depth this year to supplement Hutchinson's stardom. For now, the defense and specifically the pass rush could still offer a slight reason for concern.
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