By Mummy Grace 
Lions Eyeing Edge Rusher Princely Umanmielen to Boost Pass Rush in 2025 Draft
The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their Divisional Round matchup against the Washington Commanders this weekend, hoping their stellar 2024 season is far from over. But let’s be real—there’s never a bad time to start planning for the future, and the Lions have some areas they’ll need to address when the offseason rolls around.
Even with plenty of cap space expected for 2025, the draft might still be their best bet to fix one of their most glaring issues: getting to the quarterback. Enter Mississippi’s Princely Umanmielen, a two-time All-SEC edge rusher, who Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher and Josh Liskiewitz believe is the perfect addition for Detroit.
While the Lions allowed the NFL’s seventh-fewest points this season, their pass rush left something to be desired. Despite a respectable pressure percentage of 26.2%, they only managed 37 sacks, tying for the ninth-least in the league. The biggest blow to their pass rush? Losing Aidan Hutchinson to a leg injury back in Week 5.
To make up for Hutchinson’s absence, the Lions traded for Za’Darius Smith in November, but he’s set to hit free agency after this season, leaving Detroit with a big hole opposite Hutchinson on the edge. That’s where Umanmielen could come in.
In 12 games for Ole Miss this season, Umanmielen racked up an impressive 10.5 sacks. The year before, while at Florida, he added another seven sacks to his resume. Over the past two seasons, he’s tallied 108 pressures, per PFF. That kind of production could be exactly what Detroit needs to elevate their pass rush and keep opposing quarterbacks on edge.
For now, though, the Lions are focused on their playoff run. They’ll face the Commanders this Saturday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. ET at Ford Field. But when the offseason arrives, keep an eye on Umanmielen as a potential game-changer for Detroit.
Other Lions News:
- New York Jets Emerge as First Choice for Lions Coordinator
- Tickets for Lions’ Playoff Game Hit Record Prices