The Detroit Lions are in a pretty good spot heading into the NFL Draft—there aren’t a lot of glaring holes in their roster, thanks to some smart moves by GM Brad Holmes. But one issue stood out last season: the pass rush took a major hit when Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending leg injury. With that in mind, the Lions could be looking to beef up their defensive line in the draft, and one expert thinks they’ve found the perfect guy for the job.
A New Weapon for Detroit’s Defense
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Lions will use their No. 28 pick to grab Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. He pointed out that the team hasn’t been able to lock down a consistent pass rusher through free agency or previous drafts, so they’re taking another swing this year.
“Pearce could be the answer opposite Aidan Hutchinson,” Kiper said in his March 18 mock draft. “Besides staying healthy, the biggest issue last season was finding that second edge rusher. They traded for Za’Darius Smith midseason, and while he added four sacks in eight games, they still need a long-term solution.”
Hutchinson has been a beast for Detroit, but the team has struggled to find a reliable pass rusher to complement him. When Hutchinson went down in October, no one else stepped up—his 7.5 sacks still led the team, and Detroit’s lack of pressure hurt them, especially in the playoffs. Their season ended in a rough 45-28 loss to Washington, where they failed to sack rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
Kiper believes Pearce could be a big piece of Detroit’s Super Bowl puzzle.
“To get past their playoff hump, they need a steadier presence on the other side of Hutchinson,” Kiper wrote. “Pearce had just 7.5 sacks last year, but his 19% pressure rate was second-best in the FBS. His mix of speed and power keeps offensive tackles on their toes.”
Another Potential Pick?
If the Lions don’t go with Pearce, they have other solid options. USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz thinks they might stay close to home and draft Michigan’s Kenneth Grant instead.
“Aidan Hutchinson’s return should boost a defensive line that was wrecked by injuries last season, but there are still concerns—especially after defensive tackle Alim McNeill tore his ACL in December,” he wrote. “Grant, at 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, is still refining his pass-rush skills, but he’s a nightmare for teams that don’t double-team him.”
The Lions also brought back edge rusher Marcus Davenport, but The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy isn’t convinced he’s a long-term solution.
“It’s no surprise they re-signed Davenport,” Pouncy said. “When healthy, he’s a solid player who can rush the passer and stop the run. But he’s only played six games in the last two seasons. Maybe he turns things around, but history says otherwise.”
With the draft just around the corner, the Lions have options—whether it’s Pearce, Grant, or another pass-rusher, they’ll be looking for someone to help Hutchinson get after quarterbacks in 2025.
Detroit Locks Down ‘The Answer’ on Defense in Kiper’s Draft Prediction
