The Detroit Lions have been shaking things up on the defensive line, and that might spell trouble for one of their veterans. They brought back Levi Onwuzurike on a one-year, \$5.5 million deal earlier this year, but his spot on the team isn’t exactly locked in.
According to Sterling Xie from Pro Football Network, Onwuzurike might be on the chopping block once roster cuts roll around. The Lions have been loading up on D-line talent, and it’s getting crowded.
They drafted Tyleik Williams in the first round—he’s expected to jump right in and contribute. Plus, they picked up solid veterans like D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez, and they’ve got some big-bodied edge rushers like Brodric Martin and Josh Paschal who can move inside when needed.
Basically, Onwuzurike’s got competition, and he hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype since the Lions used a second-round pick on him. There’s talk he might be trade bait, but the Lions could also hang on to him just in case—especially with Alim McNeill recovering from an injury. If McNeill isn’t ready, they might need Onwuzurike for depth. But if he doesn’t shine in preseason, they could just try to get a late-round draft pick for him rather than cut him for nothing.
Levi’s had a rough run since getting drafted in 2021. He missed all of 2022 with an injury and has only played in 42 games total. Last season was his best yet—he started 10 games and racked up 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks—but it still might not be enough to save his spot.
The biggest challenge for him? Tyleik Williams. The rookie’s already making waves, and the Lions think he could be a serious game-changer. Assistant GM Ray Agnew is pumped about him and says the kid has tons of potential, especially in stopping the run and bringing pressure up the middle.
Bottom line: Onwuzurike is in a tough spot, and he’s going to need a strong preseason to prove he still belongs on the team.
Lions Eyeing Breakup with Veteran DT Just Months After the Reunion!
