Lions’ Pass Rush Options: Mykel Williams vs. James Pearce Jr.
With the NFL Draft approaching, the Detroit Lions’ pass rush remains a key area of focus. Two of the league’s top draft analysts, Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) and Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN), have different ideas on how Detroit should bolster its defensive front.
Daniel Jeremiah’s Pick: Mykel Williams (Georgia)
Jeremiah projects the Lions selecting Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end with an impressive wingspan and strong run-stopping ability. Williams has the size Detroit covets but has yet to produce elite sack numbers, managing just 14.0 sacks over three seasons. His pass rush win rate (11.1% in 2024) lags behind top prospects, but his physicality makes him an ideal fit opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Mel Kiper Jr.’s Pick: James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
Kiper, on the other hand, believes Detroit will go for pure explosiveness with Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound edge rusher ran a blazing 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine and had a dominant 2024 season, producing a 23.0% pass rush win rate and 17.5 sacks over two years. However, his smaller frame raises questions about whether he fits Detroit’s defensive scheme as a full-time EDGE or if he’d be better suited for a hybrid linebacker role.
A Deep EDGE Class with Uncertain Availability
Both mock drafts highlight the unpredictability of this year’s EDGE class. In Kiper’s mock, Mykel Williams was off the board by the 10th pick, while Jeremiah didn’t have Pearce going in the first round at all. That level of variance shows that the Lions could have multiple options at No. 28.
With Detroit making only a minor addition to its defensive line in free agency, a high-upside pass rusher seems like an obvious draft target. Whether they opt for Williams’ power or Pearce’s speed, the Lions have a crucial decision ahead.
Kiper vs. Jeremiah: Who Has the Best Fix for the Lions’ Pass Rush?
