When it comes to getting after the quarterback in 2025, the Detroit Lions will welcome back one of the best in the business in Aidan Hutchinson after he played just five and a half games last season before breaking his leg Week 6 in Dallas and missing the rest of the season. Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and 45 total pressures in those games.
"I mean, look, we don't have a crystal ball on anything, we're just gonna see where it's at. But I've seen enough movement and mobility on running in this stage that I feel very confident about where he's gonna be at," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said of Hutchinson's rehab progress at last week's Annual League Meetings.
The Lions liked what they saw in the edge duo of Hutchinson and veteran Marcus Davenport before an arm injury ended Davenport's season last year after just Week 3. Davenport and the team re-upped on a one-year deal this offseason, and if the two can stay healthy, the Lions like that starting tandem on the edge of their defensive line.
But general managers and coaches say all the time teams can never have too many pass rushers and that's the case in Detroit too, especially when looking at Davenport's injury history and their depth.
Detroit was among the league leaders in quarterback hurries last season, but their 37 sacks ranked 23rd. Sacks are drive-wrecking plays, and the Lions need more of them. Detroit forced 32 3-and-out drives last season, the seventh fewest in the NFL.
The Lions return veteran Josh Paschal on the last year of his rookie contract and also re-signed veteran Levi Onwuzurike this offseason. While both have played on the edge of Detroit's defense in the past and are certainly capable, they are more productive inside. Holmes said the preferred spot is having them both in the interior defensive line rotation.
This might be the deepest defensive line class both on the edge and interior in the past decade, which is great for teams who could be looking to add depth and talent there. Detroit will certainly have options if they decide to add to their defensive front when they are on the clock at No. 28, or with any of their seven draft selections (No. 28, 60, 102, 130, 196, 228, 244).
View photos of the top edge rusher prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch (1) dodges California offensive lineman Barrett Miller (62) during the first half of an NCAA football game against California, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 63-19.(AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon defensive lineman Jordan Burch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) during the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game against Boise State, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) sacks Southern California quarterback Miller Moss (7) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct.12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) defends against SMU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in University Park, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Boston College defensive lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku participates in a drill during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Louisville defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (9) pursues Boston College wide receiver Lewis Bond (11) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Louisville defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
National team defensive lineman Mike Green of Marshall (15) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green lifts weights at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40) runs a play against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson participates in a drill during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones runs through drills during the school's NFL football pro day in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) lines up for a play during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina edge Kyle Kennard (5) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rushes during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Ohio State defensive lineman Jack Sawyer runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M's Nic Scourton (11) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas edge defender Barryn Sorrell (88) rushes Georgia quarterback Carson Beck during the first half an NCAA football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Texas defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart (4) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) celebrates after sacking Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene, bottom, in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau celebrates after tackling Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love during first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau runs a drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mississippi defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) rushes against Duke, during the second half of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Mississippi defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
National team defensive lineman David Walker of Central Arkansas (33) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Central Arkansas defensive lineman David Walker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) sets up for a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia's Mykel Williams runs a drill during the school's NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March, 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Edge class draft strength: Talent and depth. The class is absolutely loaded. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's most recent list of the Top 50 players in the class includes nine edge rushers and five defensive tackles. That's nearly 30 percent of his Top 50 being defensive linemen, including No. 1 overall prospect Abdul Carter, an edge rusher out of Penn State.
Lions edge depth chart: Hutchinson, Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn, Onwuzurike, Paschal.
Lions edge draft priority: High. The Lions have a nice mix of veterans and young players they think have developmental potential, but I'd be very surprised if they didn't come out of this draft with a young edge rusher they can add to the mix who gives them some juice coming off the edge.
Five edge rushers who could fit the Lions:
1. Mykel Williams, Georgia
6-5, 260. 4.76 40-yard dash (1.59 10-yard split).
Williams has the kind of size and frame the Lions like on the edge of their defense. He battled through an ankle injury all of last year but still put up five sacks and nine tackles for loss and forced two fumbles. He's an upside prospect with terrific traits.
2. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
6-5, 267. 4.59 40-yard dash (1.58 10-yard split).
Stewart was impressive at the Combine with his 40 time, 40-inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump. He's explosive, no doubt about it. Sure, the 4.5 sacks worth of production the last three years is a little puzzling, but he logged just 106 true pass sets last season, ranking 74th in the draft class, per Pro Football Focus, which could explain some of his lack of sack production. He led the Aggies with 39 quarterback pressures. Lots of upside with Stewart.
3. Mike Green, Marshall
6-3, 251. Did not run 40-yard dash.
Green started his career at Virginia and transferred to Marshall this past season where he led the FBS with 17 sacks and ranked second with 22.5 tackles for loss. He dominated the Senior Bowl against an uptick in competition. He combines speed and power with effort and that should lead to a lot of production in the NFL. Some off-the-field character concerns will have to be properly vetted.
View photos of 2025 NFL Draft edge prospect Shemar Stewart.
Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart (4) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) pressures Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart runs the 40-yard dash during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New Mexico State quarterback Santino Marucci (18) is tackled just after letting go of the ball by Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) is stopped after a reception by Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
American team defensive lineman Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart (4) warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) tackles Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Texas A&M won 34-24. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) wraps up McNeese State running back D'Angelo Durham (1) after a two-yard run during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
4. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
6-5, 245. 4.47 40-yard dash (1.56 10-yard split).
Speed, speed and more speed. When you watch Pearce, the speed, take off and first step really jump out. He's recorded 17.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss as a First-Team All-SEC performer the last two seasons combined. He needs to add some strength to his frame to hold up better against the run, but on just pure pass-rush ability, he can help a team right away.
5. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
6-2 1/2, 248. Did not run 40-yard dash
The Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation's top defensive end, Ezeiruaku was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after recording 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss and leading the team with three forced fumbles. He's got some versatility to his game and could play both SAM linebacker and defensive end in Detroit's scheme.
