Lions are expected to sign a ‘missing piece’ for their defense

admin | January 11, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Athletic issued its newest 2024 NFL mock draft on January 10, and it expected the Detroit Lions to target an edge rusher, similar to other mock drafts since the end of the regular season.

The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner predicted the Lions would take Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau in the first round at No. 28 overall.

Baumgardner even suggested Tuimoloau as the “missing piece” in the Lions defense.

“Aidan Hutchinson finished the season second in the NFL in pressures and did it without much help to speak of on the other side,” Baumgardner stated in an email. “If Detroit can pair a three-down workhorse like Hutchinson with a pass-rush specialist like Tuimoloau (who also has three-down potential), it could be the missing piece for Dan Campbell’s defense.”

In 2023, the Lions had 18 defenders with sacks, but half of them only had one.During the 2023 season, Aidan Hutchinson was Detroit’s sole defensive player with more than 5 sacks.

How JT Tuimoloau Could Fit With the Lions

In terms of quarterback pressure during the 2023 season, the Lions delivered a mixed bag. It’s a tremendous accomplishment to have 18 defenders with sacks.Detroit also led the league in pressure rate, quarterback knockdown percentage, and hurry rate.

But none of this resulted in an unusually large number of sacks. With 41 sacks this season, the Lions tied for 23rd in the NFL.

Hutchinson set a new career high with 11.5 sacks. Despite the fact that the rest of the Detroit defense had 18 sacks, Hutchinson accounted for more than a quarter of the team’s sacks.

Behind those pass-rushing numbers, the Lions’ defense improved in 2023. They were, however, not an elite unit. To advance to the next level in 2024, it appears that another pass rusher opposite Hutchinson will be the “missing piece.”

Tuimoloau recorded 12 sacks in 35 games while at Ohio State. He has 5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 2 pass defenses, and 1 fumble recovery in 2023, in addition to 38 total tackles.

Other Edge Rushers Lions Could Target in 2024 NFL Draft

Baumgardner isn’t the only mock draft analyst who sees an edge rusher playing with Hutchinson as Detroit’s final missing defensive piece. Many mock drafts predict that the Lions will select an edge rusher.

Even if the Lions are still in the NFL playoffs, this is already the case.On January 5, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema predicted that the Lions would draft Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice in the first round.

In his January 10 mock draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid also had the Lions targeting Trice.

“The Lions’ culture is built on toughness, physicality and relentlessness,” Reid said. “Trice is the only prospect in this class who checks all three boxes.” His style is built around power, and he generated initial pressure on 71 FBS plays this season.

“Trice also never comes off the field, with a level of effort sure to catch the eyes of GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.”

Edge rushers will most likely continue to arrive in Detroit in mock drafts. However, it’s worth noting that the Lions still have linebacker James Houston, who was anticipated to be the team’s starting edge rusher opposite Hutchinson this season.

Houston was injured in September and hasn’t played since Week 2.

The presence of Houston does not preclude the Lions from selecting an edge rusher in the first round. However, if he is totally healthy when the draft begins, Detroit might address another need on the first day of the draft and then add edge depth later.