There comes a time usually early on in every player's career where they find their identity in this league.
For third-year defensive lineman Josh Paschal, that moment came this offseason when he sat down with new defensive line coach and run game coordinator Terrell Williams and went over tape.
"I'm a power guy. I'm a power rusher," Paschal said after practice Tuesday. "I'm a strong guy and a bigger end and I play with power. I'm that rough, dirty guy.
"I feel like every player has an identity. I just had to embrace that. That has given me the confidence to go out here so far and play with that identity to be that physical player. Man, I'm just excited for this upcoming season to show that."
Paschal said Williams sat down with him one day and told him he needed an identity and told him flat out he thought Paschal was more of a power player and if he embraced that he could start seeing more immediate success. Paschal knew Williams was right, but as a young player, it's easy to try and do too much and be something you're not, and Paschal knew it was time to embrace what he is.
He was drafted in the second round in 2022 and has shown flashes of good play but has also had some durability issues missing 12 games over his first two seasons. He's played in 22 games (eight starts) and has 3.0 sacks, 41 tackles (27 solo) with seven tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits.
When it comes to being more durable, Paschal said he gained muscle and also picked up Pilates and a stretching routine this offseason.
We saw Paschal make an impact last week in the second preseason game in Kansas City, recording a strip sack late. Paschal is expected to be part of the defensive line rotation playing both inside and outside for Aaron Glenn's defense.
Fourth-year defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike battled injury early in his career but is finally healthy and expected to make a big impact this year. Like Paschal, Onwuzurike was a second-round pick who is looking to finally break out.
If the Lions can get those breakout performances from two former second-round picks along their defensive line, that unit can take a big step forward with the veteran additions they've made there.
"I was just trying to do a little bit of everything," Paschal said of his first two seasons. "I feel like I saw a lot of guys with different speed moves I tried to incorporate with my game – and of course it's good to have a little balance – but you have to have something that your identity is. You have to have one thing you know that you can lay back on."
For Paschal, that's his power.
