It’s no secret the Lions have been trying to find a consistent edge threat to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson for a while now. Over the last two seasons, they’ve rolled the dice with guys like Marcus Davenport, Za’Darius Smith, James Houston, and John Cominsky. Some got hurt, some underperformed, and none have provided the stability or production Detroit needs off the edge.
So here we are again—with the draft around the corner—and another veteran name has entered the rumor mill: Emmanuel Ogbah.
Mark Stolte of Pro Football Network recently named one free agent each team should sign, and for Detroit, Ogbah was his pick. The 31-year-old veteran, who last played for the Dolphins, makes sense for a few reasons. First, he’d come cheap—something that matters with a wave of big-time contract extensions on the horizon for Detroit’s young core. Second, he brings experience, toughness, and a no-nonsense work ethic that screams Dan Campbell.
Ogbah’s no stranger to production either. He has 47 career sacks, including back-to-back 9-sack seasons in 2020 and 2021. Even as he ages, he’s stayed durable—playing 15 or more games in four of the last five seasons.
If Detroit doesn’t land an edge rusher early in the draft, a guy like Ogbah could be a perfect insurance policy—someone who can rotate in, provide leadership, and bring some extra juice to the pass rush.
At the very least, it shows Brad Holmes and the front office are keeping their options open. And given the bad luck the Lions have had at the position recently, it’s a smart move.
