By Blessing 
Lions Free Agency Grades: Re-signing Levi Onwuzurike is Detroit’s Most Underrated Move So Far
For a lot of us—myself included—it genuinely felt like Levi Onwuzurike had played his way out of Detroit heading into 2024. And to be clear, that’s not a knock. It’s actually a huge compliment to the kind of year he had. Onwuzurike not only tied for the team lead with 45 quarterback pressures, but—perhaps even more importantly—he made it through the entire season without a hint of the back issues that derailed the early stages of his career.
Given his age, minimal mileage, and the growing market for disruptive interior defenders, many assumed another team would swoop in with a sizable offer. But somehow, the Lions managed to bring him back on a one-year, team-friendly deal. That’s the kind of move that doesn’t grab headlines but could end up being one of the smartest decisions Detroit makes all offseason.
Let’s dive into how this signing shapes up in terms of fit, talent, and value.
Team Fit: A
Onwuzurike fits the mold of exactly what the Lions look for in a defensive lineman: physical, explosive, and versatile. He checks every box for what defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn wants up front.
Earlier in the season, Onwuzurike lined up mostly on the interior. But as injuries piled up—most notably to Marcus Davenport, Aidan Hutchinson, and Derrick Barnes—he shifted to the edge. That adaptability gave the coaching staff a valuable chess piece, though it’s clear his natural spot is somewhere between the 3-tech and 5-tech positions.
That’s where his blend of athleticism and raw power can really shine—pressuring quarterbacks from the inside without giving up any strength in the run game. And with Alim McNeill still recovering from a torn ACL and potentially missing a chunk of the upcoming season, Onwuzurike could shoulder more responsibility in the middle before sliding back into a flexible role once the defensive line is at full strength again.
Talent Level: B
We’re still learning exactly what Onwuzurike’s ceiling is. Last year was, by most measures, a breakout season. While he racked up 45 pressures—tying for the most on the team—it only translated into 1.5 sacks. That’s something Onwuzurike knows he needs to improve in the coming year.
“I think now is the time to start really looking at sacks,” he said when speaking to media on Thursday. “Getting them. I had a lot of pressures, that means I should have a lot of sacks. I’ve just got to put it all together.”
The sack numbers might have been modest, but in terms of pass-rushing metrics, he held his own. If we look at him as a true interior defender (even though he spent time on the edge), he ranked 16th in pressures, 18th in win rate, and just outside the top 20 in PFF’s pass rush productivity stat (24th).
Against the run, he wasn’t just passable—he was solid. Onwuzurike earned a 66.5 run defense grade from PFF, placing him 21st out of 143 qualifying interior defenders. Of the 20 players ahead of him, only three (Cameron Heyward, Leonard Williams, Kobie Turner) generated more pressure. That’s a strong indicator of his well-rounded skillset.
Of course, some skepticism is fair. This was just one strong season after several injury-plagued years. And it’s hard to ignore the fact that back injuries—especially ones that required spinal fusion surgery—aren’t easy to fully shake. Still, last year went a long way in putting those concerns to rest.
Contract Value: A
The exact structure of Onwuzurike’s deal hasn’t been made public, but initial reports suggest it’s a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million. If that’s the full max value, this could turn out to be an incredible bargain for the Lions.
Projections around the league were significantly higher. PFF estimated a two-year, $20 million deal. OverTheCap pegged his value at around $8 million annually. DetroitFootball.Net even suggested a three-year deal worth $45 million wouldn’t have been surprising. Compared to those projections, Detroit got a steal.
And honestly, this is textbook Brad Holmes. The Lions’ general manager has consistently leaned into these smart, low-risk, high-upside deals. One-year contracts don’t weigh down your salary cap long term, and if things go south, you’re not stuck. If the player delivers, great—you got premium production on a budget. If not, you can pivot next offseason without much financial consequence.
We’ve seen this model work in Detroit before. Think about the one-year deals for Kevin Zeitler ($6M) or Graham Glasgow ($4.5M). Even C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s one-year, $8M deal last year—which didn’t pan out as expected—didn’t hurt the team financially.
And if Onwuzurike does break out in 2025, he’ll likely price himself out of Detroit’s range next offseason. But that’s not a bad thing—because it could net the Lions a compensatory draft pick down the line. It’s a win-win scenario.
Overall Grade: A
This move might not have generated national headlines, but it’s arguably the most strategic and promising one Detroit has made this offseason.
Onwuzurike has proven he can be a valuable contributor when healthy, and now he returns with added confidence and experience. Pair that with a potentially loaded defensive front—featuring Hutchinson, a hopefully healthy Davenport, and McNeill returning later in the year—and it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where Onwuzurike explodes statistically.
If things click and he delivers anywhere near eight sacks in 2025 (a realistic goal, given his pressure numbers), this re-signing will go down as a home run. And if it doesn’t work out? Detroit walks away without much damage.
Not every great offseason move comes with a splash. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, calculated decisions—like this one—that end up paying the biggest dividends.