The Detroit Lions’ defensive situation has drawn considerable attention as fans and analysts alike highlight the team’s struggles with their pass-rush and sack production in recent years. Aidan Hutchinson has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most promising young defensive ends in the NFL. However, the challenge remains: finding a reliable counterpart to line up opposite him.
Last season, injuries wreaked havoc on the Lions’ defense, significantly depleting their depth and impacting their ability to generate pressure. Many observers thought that this offseason would see the Lions prioritize edge rushers in the draft to bolster that critical area. But in a surprising twist, the Lions opted to wait until the sixth round to address the position, which left some questioning the decision.
General Manager Brad Holmes has frequently discussed the difficulty of acquiring elite talent, particularly at premium positions like edge rusher. With Hutchinson already bringing considerable skill to the table, there seems to be a prevailing sentiment among fans: if you have one top-tier edge rusher, why not add another?
“They’re hard to find, they’re hard to get, they’re hard to acquire,” Holmes shared during an interview on 97.1 The Ticket. “I have felt like ever since we have acquired Aidan Hutchinson, as great of a player he is, I have always felt like the fan base is almost mad. Like, they’re mad because we have Aidan Hutchinson. Because, now, he’s so good, well why don’t you have two of them?”
Holmes’ candidness about the challenges of assembling a formidable pass-rush is refreshing. It’s easy to overlook the complexities of roster-building when fans are passionate about immediate results. He acknowledges the frustration from Lions supporters but contextualizes it by emphasizing the significant hurdles in acquiring multiple elite edge rushers.
This year, the Lions did bring in a promising addition in Ahmed Hassanein from Boise State. Known for his impact in the Mountain West Conference, how well he adjusts to the NFL’s higher level of competition will be crucial. Yet, the decision not to gamble on other available players—like Mike Green or Donovan Ezeiruaku—during the first round underscores a strategic approach, one rooted in careful player evaluation that aligns with the team’s philosophy.
“You can just draft an edge rusher, that’s easy. We could do that in every single round, we could draft one. Now, does he fit? Does he fit the requirements that we’re looking for in a player? That’s a whole different story,” Holmes explained. His remarks illuminate a fundamental truth in football: the fit within the system is just as vital as the player’s individual talent.
Furthermore, trading up in the draft was an uphill battle for the Lions. Holmes shared that multiple efforts to move up were met with obstacles, particularly when negotiating with teams that were reluctant to slide farther down their board. Ultimately, they managed to secure a couple of strategic picks, but the negotiation process for enhancing the roster has proven to be a complex puzzle with many pieces.
Holmes recognizes the fans’ impatience and disappointment regarding last season’s lack of production from the pass-rush. It’s important to note the injuries that plagued Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport last season, which contributed to the struggles in that area. For 2025, the hope is that improved health can unlock the defensive potential the Lions already possess.
Reflecting on the situation, Holmes concluded, “But if the player’s not performing, or if the player’s not starting, he’s a backup — you know what I mean? You’ve got to look into all of those things. I understand you want more production. If you count 2024 where we had just a litany of injuries at that one position among other spots, I can understand that with the recency bias. But we have an elite one, and that’s the only one that I kind of don’t understand. We have an elite one, but all we get asked about is edge rusher.”
As the Lions look ahead, sports talk host Mike Valenti summed it up well: the success of Holmes’ draft strategy will yield one of two outcomes. It will either bear fruit, leading the team towards success, or prompt renewed scrutiny regarding his approach to building the pass-rush. There’s no denying the pressure; the stakes are high, and the window to win in the league waits for no one. The Lions are at a crossroads, and how they navigate this will significantly impact the franchise’s future.
