Lions free company preview: 11 rotational edge rushers Detroit may signal

Whereas the Detroit Lions will seemingly goal defensive position expertise within the draft, this yr’s free-agent edge class gives loads of intriguing choices. In Half 1, I highlighted 10 potential signings who may tackle important roles in Detroit’s defensive finish rotation. In Half 2, I’ll shift the main focus to gamers higher suited to rotational roles—veterans and ascending skills who can present dependable snaps, bolster the cross rush, and hold the entrance contemporary over the course of an extended season.

Earlier free company previews:

Lions free company preview: Edge defenders, half 2

Underneath contract: Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, Za’Darius Smith, Isaac Ukwu (futures), Nate Lynn

Free brokers: Marcus Davenport (profile), John Cominsky, Al-Quadin Muhammad (profile), Mitchel Agude (ERFA), Jonah Williams

Michael Hoecht, Los Angeles Rams, Age 27 (6-foot-4, 267 kilos)

Lions followers seemingly bear in mind Hoecht for his struggles within the 2023 Wild Card sport, the place he discovered himself in nightmare matchups in opposition to Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs. Focused six instances, he allowed six receptions for 64 yards (43 after the catch) and a landing, exposing his limitations in protection.

Initially a 310-pound defensive sort out at Brown College, Hoecht improbably transitioned to outdoors linebacker for the Rams. Whereas he has logged 412 protection snaps over the previous two seasons, it stays his greatest weak point. A shift to defensive finish, the place he can concentrate on attacking offensive tackles moderately than dropping in house, might be one of the best path ahead for his profession—making him a extra pure match as a Lions’ defensive finish moderately than their SAM linebacker position.

Derek Barnett, Houston Texans, Age 29, (6-foot-3, 259 kilos)

The previous first-round decide suffered a torn ACL in September 2022, which hampered his effectiveness early in 2023 and in the end led to his midseason launch. Nonetheless, after being claimed by the Texans, Barnett bounced again to type, recording 2.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and eight tackles for loss in simply six video games. He re-signed with Houston in 2024 and performed a rotational position (421 snaps), ending the season robust—his 81.2 PFF defensive grade from Weeks 11-18 ranked ninth amongst all edge defenders.

One in every of Barnett’s most underrated traits is his skill to explode pull blockers, making him a tricky participant to entice—a top quality the Lions would undoubtedly worth. He nonetheless has loads left within the tank and can be a beneficial addition to Detroit’s defensive finish rotation at an inexpensive worth. In any case, you’ll be able to by no means have too many cross rushers.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Age 26 (6-foot-5, 259 kilos)

A former first-round decide and faculty teammate of Levi Onwuzurike, Tryon-Shoyinka is the primary of three free agent former Buccaneers with ties to new Lions defensive position coach Kacy Rodgers. Like Michael Hoecht, he has primarily performed as a stand-up outdoors linebacker, however the Lions may make the most of him extra as a standard defensive finish. Sturdy all through his profession, Tryon-Shoyinka has missed simply two video games and had his finest season in 2022, recording 40 tackles, 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, and a career-high 14 quarterback hits.

The three-year starter has an interesting body, makes use of his 34-inch arms successfully in each run protection and cross rush, and is fast off the snap with a well-executed slap-swipe transfer. He may enhance his leverage and physicality—one thing which may come naturally if he’s capable of concentrate on a extra outlined position moderately than juggling hybrid obligations. Notably, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler in contrast him to Marcus Davenport popping out of faculty.

William Gholston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Age 34 (6-foot-6, 281 kilos)

One other versatile skyscraper, Gholston has spent all 12 seasons of his profession with the Buccaneers, lacking solely six video games since his rookie yr and rating fifth in franchise historical past with 186 video games performed.

At this stage of his profession, Gholston is primarily a rotational depth piece, however he stays a dependable run defender and may nonetheless flash as an inside penetrator. His expertise and flexibility may make him a beneficial piece to the Lions’ defensive position equation.

Anthony Nelson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Age 28 (6-foot-7, 271 kilos)

Among the many Buccaneers’ defensive position free-agent choices, Nelson gives a mix of Gholston’s towering top and size (34 7/8-inch arms) and Tryon-Shoyinka’s athleticism. He additionally brings expertise as an out of doors linebacker, even logging 91 protection snaps final season. He was the most efficient of the group in 2024, recording 40 tackles, six tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and profession highs in each quarterback hits (13) and pressures (32), per PFF.

Nelson boasts excellent athletic traits, testing above the ninetieth percentile within the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle whereas additionally surpassing the eightieth percentile in each the vertical and broad jumps. Nelson will knock the snot out of a decent finish and has a knack for changing pace to energy in his cross rush successfully.

Da’Shawn Hand, Miami Dolphins, Age 29 (6-fot-3, 302 kilos)

Hand was a uncommon shiny spot as a rookie within the Matt Patricia period, however accidents derailed his tenure in Detroit. After bouncing round, he discovered stability in Miami, taking part in a career-high 564 snaps in 2024—his most since his rookie yr. In 2023, his 85.0 PFF defensive grade ranked eighth amongst all edge defenders, simply behind Alim McNeill.

Primarily a defensive sort out for the Dolphins, Hand nonetheless flexed outdoors on 15% of his snaps and will shift right into a five-technique position in Detroit. His explosive upper-body energy makes him a pure pocket-collapser, becoming the Lions’ defensive entrance nicely.

Deatrich Smart, New England Patriots, Age 31 (6-foot-5, 280 kilos)

To not ship Lions followers into a chilly sweat, however Smart bears some resemblance to his former Arkansas and Patriots teammate, Trey Flowers—the very participant he succeeded in New England after Flowers departed for Detroit in free company.

Early in his profession, Smart was a gentle pass-rushing presence, tallying 35 quarterback hits in his first two seasons (2017-18). Whereas he hasn’t matched that manufacturing within the final 4 years (34 complete), he stays a dependable contributor. Along with his gargantuan 35 5/8-inch arms, Smart excels at stacking blockers within the run sport and utilizing his highly effective bull rush to suffocate house for the quarterback.

Solomon Thomas, New York Jets, Age 29 (6-foot-3, 295 kilos)

Although Thomas by no means lived as much as his third total decide standing, he has carved out a beneficial position on a number of top-tier defenses and will do the identical for Detroit. He has spent seven of his eight NFL seasons beneath Robert Saleh however performed his faculty profession—and was a crew captain—beneath Lions passing sport coordinator David Shaw.

Thomas possesses lots of the similar traits as Josh Paschal—compact body, upper-body energy, and a stout decrease half that generates pressure. Each gamers win with brute energy, setting the sting on early downs whereas kicking inside to break down the pocket on passing downs.

Clelin Ferrell, Washington Commanders, Age 28 (6-foot-4, 265 kilos)

A former top-five decide, Ferrell peaked in his second season with the Raiders, recording 10 quarterback hits, however discovered new life with the 49ers in 2023, setting career-highs in video games performed (17) and quarterback hits (13).

Ferrell is a broad-shouldered energy rusher who deploys his large 10 1/2-inch mitts with pressure to jolt and management blockers. His leggy body permits him to slide previous and minimize off angles successfully. A everlasting crew captain at Clemson and a product of a army household, Ferrell possesses the management and toughness that align with the Lions’ tradition.

Payton Turner, New Orleans Saints, Age 26 (6-foot-6, 2770 kilos)

A former first-round decide, Turner nonetheless possesses the bodily traits the Lions covet of their defensive ends—his 35 3/8-inch arms alone will verify a significant field. Nonetheless, accidents have derailed his profession, as he missed extra video games (36) than he performed (15) over his first three seasons.

Whereas Turner lastly suited up for 16 video games in 2024, his manufacturing remained underwhelming. Nonetheless, he flashed at instances with two sacks, 4 cross deflections, and two compelled fumbles. Any crew taking a flier on him in free company shall be banking on their defensive position coach unlocking his untapped potential.

Carl Lawson, Dallas Cowboys, Age 30 (6-foot-2, 260 kilos)

The final free-agent edge rusher I’ll spotlight doesn’t completely match the Lions’ typical edge rusher mould however brings a number of intriguing qualities. Lawson is a compact, rocked-up ball of power off the sting. He was on observe for a breakout season in 2020, ending second solely to T.J. Watt with 32 quarterback hits, earlier than an Achilles tendon rupture in a joint observe derailed that progress.

Lawson has reinvented himself as a veteran rotational energy rusher over the previous couple of seasons. He makes use of his leverage successfully, deploying a wide range of long-arm and stab-chop-rip strikes to blow by offensive tackles. Lawson might be a beneficial passing-down choice for the Lions, offering splash performs whereas different edge rushers shift inside, serving to to enrich Hutchinson.