Currently, no fan base in the NFL is more anxious about their defensive line than the fans of the Detroit Lions. I understand, you see the Eagles dominate the Chiefs in the Super Bowl with 30 pressures and seven sacks and you think, “our line needs to perform like that consistently.”
The reality is that what you witnessed in that game resembles when you notice your friends sharing only their happiest moments on Instagram. You witnessed a highlight. Ultimately, the Eagles’ line in 2024 was not significantly superior to the Lions’, and the Lions were without their key players for half the season.
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Reasons The Lions’ SLOW Beginning To NFL Free Agency Is NOT A Concern…Reasons The Lions’ SLOW Beginning To NFL Free Agency Is NOT A Concern…
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Eagles: 289 quarterback pressures and 41 sacks. 10th in the least rushing yards permitted.
Lions: 278 quarterback pressures, 37 sacks. Fifth in least rushing yards permitted.
We’re not actually here to make a complete comparison with the Eagles or anything similar today. The Lions didn’t have to acquire the priciest edge rushers to be successful. They ought to prepare one, perhaps two. However, there is one area in particular where the Lions must avoid falling prey to misunderstandings, and that is the interior defensive line.
I understand what you’re considering. Alim McNeill sustained an ACL tear in Week 15 in December, and it’s improbable that he will be prepared for the initial month of the 2025 season. That is an issue, but the Lions don’t have to draft someone in the first round or even at all to address that concern.
This is truly a rather strong group for the Lions. DJ Reader will serve as the anchor, remaining one of the premier nose tackles in the NFL. Joining him on the Lions roster is Levi Onwuzurike, who finished last season with 45 pressures—ranking second on the team in 2024—along with three sacks and 13 quarterback hits. The Lions are experiencing a pass rush that closely resembles what McNeill can provide.
Next, we have Roy Lopez. He played as a starter for the Cardinals over the last four years and was quite a reliable pass-rushing nose tackle when he was sent in. He recorded 18 pressures and achieved a sack. It might not appear significant, but it’s important to note that nose tackles primarily occupy space, enabling the other players on the line to perform effectively. As impressive as Reader is, he recorded only 20 pressures and three sacks.
there are the overlooked players who displayed some promising moments in 2024. Mekhi Wingo was truly finding his stride before he got injured. He possesses a level of versatility that the Lions will want to keep investigating.
Myles Adams experienced several outstanding instances as a run stopper when he was on the field. There’s a reason they returned him. Next up is Brodric Martin. We aren’t entirely sure what’s going on there, but right now, we’re discussing the sixth player on the depth chart who might turn out to be a benefit and climb higher if he gets it together in 2025.
The Lions have other priorities that will take precedence over this fairly solid group.