By Sunday 
Turning Up the Heat: Lions Focus In on Pass Rush Fix
The Detroit Lions aren’t messing around this offseason. After an impressive 2024 campaign that ended with big expectations—and a big hole in the pass rush—they’re looking to reload in the most aggressive way possible. And the target? It could be a trade for Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Odafe Oweh, or a bold move up the draft board for a top rookie like Mykel Williams.
Let’s break it down.
Odafe Oweh: Buy Low, Boost High?
According to Mike Payton of AtoZSports, Detroit may be one of the top landing spots for Odafe Oweh, the former Ravens first-round pick who’s quietly come into his own. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added fuel to the fire, reporting that Baltimore is open to dealing Oweh—part of a broader strategy to climb the draft board.
And while Oweh had a rocky start to his career, 2024 was a turning point:
- 10.0 sacks
- 39 tackles
- Only 10 starts
That’s some serious production for a guy many had already written off.
“With all the new contracts that the Ravens are going to have to do, they could bail on Oweh… and the Lions could take on the 26-year-old on his fifth-year option and work to extend him,” Payton explained.
Better yet? The price tag is manageable. Cap analyst Josh Queipo estimates a possible extension at around $46.5 million over three years—a relative bargain compared to the projected $150 million deal coming for Aidan Hutchinson.
Pass-Rush Puzzle Pieces: The Need is Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it: The Lions struggled to generate consistent pressure in 2024, especially after Hutchinson went down with a leg fracture. Sure, Za’Darius Smith made a splash with 4.5 sacks after the trade deadline, but the unit still lacked that dangerous, game-changing second threat off the edge.
They’ve tried the draft. They’ve tried free agency. But the right partner for Hutchinson remains elusive.
Could Oweh be the piece they’re missing? Or will Brad Holmes roll the dice another way?
Draft-Day Shuffle: Lions Could Climb for Mykel Williams
If you’ve followed GM Brad Holmes, you know he loves to trade up when he sees “his guy.” According to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, that guy might be Georgia’s Mykel Williams, who checks all the Dan Campbell boxes:
- 6’5”, 261 lbs
- Freakishly long arms
- Physical, disciplined, high-motor
- Team-first character
Pouncy floated a scenario where the Lions jump 10 spots to No. 18 (in a deal with Seattle) to land Williams before he slips away.
All Eyes on the Trenches
Whether it’s a proven vet like Oweh or a rising star like Williams, one thing’s for sure: The Lions are not content standing still when it comes to their defense. With the NFC wide open and expectations sky-high, every piece matters—especially the guys chasing quarterbacks.
Keep your eye on Detroit. The draft is near, and this pass-rush puzzle is about to get a major shake-up.