The good: Third-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was on MVP-caliber pace with 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss in his first five games of the season before suffering a broken leg Week 6 in Dallas that ended his season. Hutchinson will no-doubt be motivated to pick up where he left off next season.
As a unit, Detroit's defensive front played a big role in the Lions being a top-five run defense this season. The Lions finished fifth in rushing yards allowed (1,672), fourth in rushing first downs allowed (86), second in rushing yards after contact (1,020) and second in rushing yards to opposing running backs (1,167). Detroit's 342 points allowed in 2024 were the seventh fewest in the league.
Overall, the 345 quarterback pressures applied by Detroit's defense were second behind only Denver (392). The 132 pressures generated from the interior of Detroit's defensive line ranked fourth behind only Denver (182), Seattle (139) and Philadelphia (137).
Alim McNeill and DJ Reader proved to be one of the better defensive tackle duos in the NFL before McNeill was lost to a torn ACL in mid-December. They combined for 6.5 sacks along the interior.
The Lions traded for Za’Darius Smith at the deadline and the veteran gave the Lions some production coming off the edge the second half of the season.
| Name | Games | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | QBH | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | 5 | 19 | 7 | 7.5 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Za'Darius Smith | 8 | 12 | 3 | 4.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Alim McNeill | 14 | 25 | 7 | 3.5 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| DJ Reader | 15 | 23 | 4 | 3.0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Paschal | 14 | 21 | 5 | 2.0 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Levi Onwuzurike | 16 | 28 | 1 | 1.5 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Myles Adams | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Pat O'Connor | 12 | 18 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Marcus Davenport | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mekhi Wingo | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Isaac Ukwu | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Isaiah Thomas | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kyle Peko | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Smith | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brodric Martin | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The bad: Outside of maybe linebacker, Detroit's defensive line faced the most attrition this season due to injury. Marcus Davenport was lost for the season in Week 3, and with Hutchinson going down Week 6, the Lions were without their two top edge rushers by mid-October.
In all, seven defensive linemen finished the season on Reserve/Injured. That list included starters Hutchinson, Davenport and McNeill, but also included key reserves like John Cominsky, Mekhi Wingo and Kyle Peko.
Despite playing in only five contests, Hutchinson's 7.5 sacks led the Lions in 2024. Detroit's 37 total sacks on the year were tied for just 23rd. Detroit forced 32 3 & out drives, the seventh fewest in the league this season.
Key stat: Detroit's defensive front had the fourth highest pass rush win percentage in the NFL this season at 51.6 percent. Philadelphia (56.6), Cleveland (53.6) and Pittsburgh (51.9) were the top three.
Free agents: Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko, John Cominsky, Marcus Davenport, Pat O'Connor, Jonah Williams, Myles Adams (restricted)
Detroit loved the idea of Davenport's size opposite Hutchinson, but only got to see it on the field for two and a half games. Davenport hasn't started more than nine games in a season since 2019.
Onwuzurike had his finest season as a professional in his fourth year after nearly losing his career to a back injury early on. The former second-round draft pick by the Lions in 2021 finished second on the team with 13 quarterback hits, playing in 16 games in the regular season.
Cominsky was expected to be a key rotational player along Detroit's defensive line this season but suffered a torn MCL in his right knee in training camp and missed the entire season.
There could be some help available in free agency this season along the defensive line. Some veterans around the league slated to become free agents include: Khalil Mack (Chargers), Josh Sweat (Eagles), Haason Reddick (Jets), Malcolm Koonce (Raiders), Osa Odighizuwa (Cowboys), Milton Williams (Eagles), Baron Browning (Cardinals), Dayo Odeyingbo (Colts) and DeMarcus Lawrence (Cowboys) to name a few.
View photos of the Detroit Lions defensive linemen from the 2024 NFL season.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) sacked by Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) with fans during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) sacks Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 17, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during an NFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Washington Commanders on January 18, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 30, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Kyle Peko (96) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Kyle Peko (96) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 27, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 3, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) and Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 3, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith (99) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith (99) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith (99) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith (99) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 20, 2024 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Jonah Williams (78) during an NFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Washington Commanders on January 18, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 20, 2024 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Draft: Adding talent and depth upfront along the defensive line should continue to be a priority for Detroit, especially on the edge. Hutchinson will be back next season, and Smith is under contract for one more season, but the Lions could stand to add more sack production off the edge. Hutchinson and Smith played only 13 combined games for the Lions and led them with 7.5 and 4.0 sacks, respectively. Josh Paschal will also be back on the last year of his rookie deal.
Adding more depth along the interior could also be a priority given the fact McNeill might not be ready to start the season after suffering a torn ACL in December that could push his return a month or later into the season on a typical nine-month recovery window.
Detroit isn't in line to select some of the top edge and interior defensive line talent in this draft selecting at No. 28 unless they move up, something GM Brad Holmes has never been shy about doing. This draft is loaded along the defensive line at both the edge and interior with 19 players on NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's initial list of the Top 50 prospects in this draft.
Edge: Abdul Carter (Penn State), Jalon Walker (Georgia), Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Mykel Williams (Georgia), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Mike Green (Marshall), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) and Josaiah Stewart (Michigan)
Interior: Mason Graham (Michigan), Tyler Booker (Alabama), Armand Membou (Missouri), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Walter Nolen (Mississippi), Joshua Farmer (Florida State), T.J. Sanders (South Carolina) and Alfred Collins (Texas)
Quotable: "When you're down five defensive ends due to injury, then I don't know who has a sixth, seventh and eighth effective pass rusher," Holmes said after the season when asked if they need to add more pass rushers this offseason. "When we were at full health, I thought our pass rush was pretty good. I thought the whole defense – I think it was self-explanatory in terms of the numbers of what we were able to produce before that attrition happened.
"But we'll always look at all areas and we'll always add competition at all areas. You guys have seen us do it before. We drafted an inside linebacker in the first round when we had a pretty damn good linebacker room at the time. We doubled down – we don't really go into it with that mindset.
"We just try to add the best players that we think fit, add the best competition, obviously free agency will be upon us quickly, that's when you can do the fun stuff of the depth chart, filling in holes on the depth chart, but after that we just kind of find the best players."
