By Sunday 
Detroit’s defensive front has one superstar. Now they want another.
The Detroit Lions nailed it when they drafted Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2022. He’s been everything the team could ask for—relentless, productive, and a culture-setter in Dan Campbell’s hard-nosed locker room. But ever since Hutchinson put on a Honolulu blue jersey, Detroit’s been trying (and trying) to find his long-term partner on the edge.
From draftees that didn’t quite pop to free agents who couldn’t hold up, it’s been a revolving door opposite Hutchinson. And now, as we peer into the future of this promising Lions squad, the whispers are getting louder: they might finally take another big swing.
Rueben Bain Jr.: Detroit’s Draft Day Dream?
Joe DeLeone of Pro Football Network believes the Lions could spend their 2026 first-round pick on Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. The Hurricanes edge rusher had a disrupted 2024 due to injuries, but his upside is undeniable. According to DeLeone:
“His physical rushing style and high motor are conducive to becoming a quality secondary rusher, opposite Aidan Hutchinson.”
SI’s Mark Morales-Smith even went further, saying Bain could push into the Top 10 of the draft if he bounces back strong this college season. At 6’3″, 275 lbs, Bain checks every box for an edge defender: strength, explosiveness, and the ability to hold his own against the run.
A Familiar Face Still in the Picture?
While the draft buzz builds, the immediate answer might be sitting in free agency.
Veteran Za’Darius Smith, who joined the Lions midseason last year as an emergency addition after Hutchinson’s injury, showed he’s still got juice. Smith led the team with 4.0 sacks down the stretch, and according to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, Detroit may have quietly kept the door open for his return.
“The longer Smith goes unsigned, the more I wonder if the Lions are letting him take his time and would like to remain involved.”
Sound familiar? That’s the same stealth approach that helped the Lions land C.J. Gardner-Johnson. If Smith’s market stays quiet, don’t be shocked if Detroit swoops back in with a one-year deal.
What’s Next?
Hutchinson’s dominance is unquestioned. But if Detroit wants to turn defensive flashes into sustained firepower, they’ll need someone on the opposite end to command attention, collapse pockets, and keep offensive lines guessing.
Whether it’s Bain in the draft, Smith in free agency, or someone else entirely, the Lions know what’s at stake: You don’t just chase quarterbacks—you overwhelm them.
And with Super Bowl hopes growing louder in Detroit, that second edge rusher might be the final piece.