By Blessing 
Camp Chaos: Lions EDGE Battle Turns Brutal
The Detroit Lions’ 2025 training camp preview series now shifts its focus to a key unit on the defense: the EDGE rushers. With roles up for grabs and several young players looking to make an impact, this camp could shape the future of Detroit’s pass rush.
Reflecting on 2024: A Promising Start, Then the Collapse
The Lions entered the 2024 season with high hopes for their EDGE unit. Aidan Hutchinson was playing at an elite level, even emerging as a legitimate contender for Defensive Player of the Year. Alongside him, Detroit had a promising mix of veterans and younger players to rotate in.
Then everything changed—fast.
In the first five weeks, Detroit lost Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and SAM linebacker Derrick Barnes to injuries. With their top three pass rushers gone, the team scrambled to fill the void.
Josh Paschal was pushed into a starting role. But the other EDGE spot turned into a revolving door. James Houston and Isaac Ukwu struggled to take advantage of their opportunities. In response, the team brought in veterans Al-Quadin Muhammad and Isaiah Thomas for reinforcement.
Muhammad eventually carved out a solid rotational role, while Houston and Thomas were cut. Ukwu stayed on the practice squad. It wasn’t until Detroit acquired Za’Darius Smith and gave Levi Onwuzurike more reps on the edge that they started stabilizing the position. That new rotation—Smith, Paschal, Onwuzurike, and Muhammad—gave the team just enough depth to survive the second half of the season. Late in the year, Mitchell Agude joined the active roster for special teams help, but didn’t see much defensive action.
Postseason Cleanup and Offseason Reset
Heading into the 2025 offseason, only Hutchinson, Paschal, Smith, and Nate Lynn (who missed all of 2024 due to injury) were still under contract. But with Smith released to save nearly $11 million in cap space, Detroit had to rebuild its EDGE room yet again.
GM Brad Holmes quickly got to work:
- Marcus Davenport was re-signed.
- Al-Quadin Muhammad returned for another year.
- Mitchell Agude and Isaac Ukwu rejoined under new contracts.
- Detroit selected Egyptian-born Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
- The team also signed UDFA rookie Keith Cooper Jr. following a strong rookie minicamp tryout.
- Meanwhile, John Cominsky retired due to medical concerns, officially closing a chapter in the Lions’ D-line rotation.
Roster Trends: How Many EDGE Players Make the Cut?
Since Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell took over in 2021, the Lions have consistently kept five or more true edge rushers on the active roster. Hybrid players—like Levi Onwuzurike and Derrick Barnes—have added flexibility without costing extra spots.
Here’s the EDGE trend by season:
- 2021: Started with five, ended with six.
- 2022: Same pattern—five to six.
- 2023: Went all-in with seven EDGE rushers due to the addition of the SAM linebacker role.
- 2024: Held steady at five, even through a tough stretch of injuries.
It’s safe to assume Detroit will look to keep at least five again, with hybrid depth coming from other positions.
Understanding Detroit’s EDGE Roles
Not all EDGE defenders in Detroit play the same role. The Lions use a three-tier system:
🟡 Rush End (e.g. Hutchinson, Davenport, Hassanein)
These are your every-down pass rushers. In the Lions’ base sets (roughly 50% of snaps), two rush ends are deployed. They’re versatile—lined up in a two-point stance off the edge or with a hand in the dirt, and occasionally moved inside on passing downs.
🔵 Big End (e.g. Paschal, Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo)
These players offer more size and power. They’re often slotted at 4i or 3T alignments and used more when the SAM linebacker is on the field. Big ends need to be stout against the run and versatile inside.
🔴 SAM Linebacker (e.g. Barnes, Trevor Nowaske)
Technically a linebacker, the SAM plays on the line in certain fronts, often outside the big end. Depending on the play call, they may rush, drop into coverage, or take on a hybrid assignment. We’ll dive into this more in the linebacker preview.
Major Camp Questions to Watch
🔥 Is Aidan Hutchinson Fully Back?
The Lions’ defensive success starts with Hutchinson. The good news? He’s been “fully cleared” from his injury and participated in OTAs. He’s expected to be a full-go at camp.
But the real question remains:
“Will he return to form?”
That answer likely won’t come immediately. While training camp will show where he’s at physically, the true test will be live game reps. The Lions are counting on him to be elite again.
🧩 Who Will Start Opposite Hutchinson?
Flexibility is key to the Lions’ defensive front. In base sets, Davenport seems the likely partner to Hutchinson as a rush end. In alignments featuring a SAM linebacker, look for Paschal or Onwuzurike to shift into the big end role.
However, with Onwuzurike likely needed more inside to cover for Alim McNeill’s absence, Paschal should see increased snaps—particularly important since he’s entering a contract year.
📊 How Does the Depth Chart Shake Out?
With Hutchinson, Davenport, and Paschal locked into roles, there are two or three spots left for the rest of the edge rushers to compete for. Here’s a look at the contenders:
Depth Player Profiles
🔹 Al-Quadin Muhammad
A steady veteran presence entering his eighth NFL season, Muhammad has racked up 93 career games and 36 starts. While his ceiling is known, his experience makes him a safe option off the bench.
🔹 Ahmed Hassanein
The sixth-round rookie is raw, but electric. A natural athlete and relentless motor could make him hard to ignore. His development curve is steep, but if he proves coachable and consistent, he’ll stick around.
🔹 Mitchell Agude
He’s mostly been on the practice squad, but got real reps late last year. He played special teams and saw 40 defensive snaps. While he fits best as a rush end, his experience at SAM linebacker could make him valuable as a swing player.
🔹 Isaac Ukwu
A college JACK linebacker, Ukwu didn’t transition well to SAM in Detroit, but found a niche as a traditional rush end. Though he was elevated from the practice squad last year, he was never signed to the active roster—something to watch.
🔹 Nate Lynn
Lynn impressed during last year’s camp but missed the regular season with a shoulder injury. Known for high-effort play and pass-rushing flashes, he’s a potential surprise contributor if healthy.
🔹 Keith Cooper Jr.
Initially reported as a high-value UDFA signing, Cooper actually earned his deal via a rookie minicamp tryout. At 6’3”, 280 lbs, he fits the mold of a big end. Interestingly, he’s listed as a DL (not EDGE) on the team’s website—maybe hinting at a future move inside.
What to Expect in Camp
Training camp will reveal a lot. Who’s healthy? Who’s improved? Who fits where?
The Lions like what they have on paper, but that paper tore fast in 2024 when injuries hit. That’s why this EDGE group feels like a battlefield—one filled with redemption arcs, underdog stories, and tough decisions.
“The more skills a player possesses, the more opportunities they receive.”
That’s been Dan Campbell’s mantra since day one. If a guy can rush, cover, and play special teams? He’s in. But if he’s a one-trick pony, especially in this system? He’s likely out.
Final Thoughts: A Unit on the Brink
There’s a fine line between depth and disaster. The 2024 season proved that. In 2025, Detroit’s EDGE group enters camp with a balance of star power (Hutchinson), experience (Davenport, Muhammad), upside (Paschal, Hassanein), and wild cards (Agude, Lynn, Ukwu, Cooper).
Camp will determine who’s ready to contribute — and who’s headed back to the practice squad or out the door.
One thing’s clear: this isn’t just a position preview. It’s a full-blown roster war, and the Lions’ front office will be watching every snap.