By Blessing 
Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike Poised to Outplay His Contract in 2025
Levi Onwuzurike is shaping up to be one of the best bargains for the Detroit Lions in 2025. Despite injuries slowing him down early in his career, the defensive tackle proved his worth in 2024. Now, after signing a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, he’s expected to make a significant impact once again.
A Steal of a Deal for Detroit
When Onwuzurike entered free agency after his rookie contract expired, there was some uncertainty about whether he’d remain with the Lions. However, he chose to stay in Detroit on a contract that many consider an absolute steal, especially given how much defensive tackles were getting paid this offseason.
With the market for interior defensive linemen skyrocketing, his deal stands out as one of the most team-friendly. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper highlighted this, saying, “Interior defensive linemen got paid in this free-agent cycle. Milton Williams signed with the New England Patriots for $26 million in average per year (APY). Osa Odighizuwa returned to the Dallas Cowboys on a contract worth $20 million in APY. Javon Kinlaw got $15 million in APY from the Washington Commanders, while Tershawn Wharton got just over $15 million in APY from the Carolina Panthers.”
Despite being paid significantly less than those players, Onwuzurike outperformed some of them in key metrics. Popper pointed out that “Onwuzurike had more pressures (47) and a higher pass rush win percentage (11.9) than both Wharton and Kinlaw in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.”
Reliable but Underrated
While Onwuzurike didn’t put up eye-popping numbers last season, his presence on the defensive line was undeniable. He finished 2024 with 1.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 28 total tackles, and a tackle for loss. His contributions may not always show up in the box score, but his ability to generate pressure makes him a valuable asset.
Popper also noted that the lack of high sack numbers may have impacted his market value. “Onwuzurike only finished the season with 1 1/2 sacks, and perhaps that lack of box score production affected his market. But the upside here feels tremendous if Onwuzurike can maintain his level of pressure. An AV per million above 2.0 seems well in reach. Only 34 free agents from the 2024 class hit that number in 2024.”
Looking Ahead
If Onwuzurike can replicate or improve upon his 2024 performance, his contract will look like an absolute bargain for the Lions. With defensive tackle salaries soaring, Detroit has secured a key contributor at a fraction of the cost.
Additional Lions Headlines (March 24):
- Mock Draft Roundup – The Detroit News analyzed various NFL Draft projections for the Lions.
- Potential Free Agent Addition – Touchdown Wire identified veteran defensive end Matthew Judon as a great fit for Detroit.
- Depth Chart Predictions – Detroit Football Network examined how the Lions’ roster could shape up after recent free agency moves.
- Mock Draft Pick – The Athletic predicted that Detroit would draft defensive end James Pearce Jr. in their latest mock draft.
With Onwuzurike back in the fold, the Lions’ defense looks primed to take another step forward in 2025.