By Sunday 
Age, value, and upside—Detroit might just be playing the long game here.
If you’re a Detroit Lions fan nervously glancing at the edge rusher depth chart this offseason, you’re not alone. The team hasn’t exactly been aggressive in finding a running mate for Aidan Hutchinson—and that’s made people a little jumpy. But just when it seemed like the only answer was Za’Darius Smith… bam! A new name quietly enters the picture.
Say hello to Ogbo Okoronkwo, fresh off the Cleveland Browns’ release wire. No, he doesn’t have Smith’s resume or name value—but he does have something else: upside, and just enough tread left on the tires to make things interesting in Detroit.
So Who Is Ogbo Okoronkwo?
Ogbo isn’t a new kid on the block—he’s 30 years old and has been floating in that space between “solid rotational guy” and “secret weapon” for a few years now. His best work? That came in 2022 with the Texans, when he dropped 5 sacks, 44 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and a flurry of QB pressures that got the league’s attention.
That performance earned him a $19 million deal with Cleveland, where he quietly produced in a supporting role. He didn’t headline the defense—but he showed he could bring pressure, disrupt plays, and chew up quality snaps.
For a Lions team trying to balance youth with experience, that sounds exactly like what the doctor ordered.
Why He Makes Sense for Detroit
Let’s face it—Detroit passed on Bryce Huff. They didn’t go edge early in the draft. And so far, they’ve kept things uncharacteristically quiet when it comes to free agency splashes.
So why Ogbo?
- He’s younger than Za’Darius Smith (by NFL standards, two years is a gulf).
- He brings consistency, without demanding a huge contract.
- He’s used to rotation roles, which fits perfectly alongside the Lions’ current pass-rush setup.
- He’s hungry. Being cut after a solid run will do that to a guy.
Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes are smart enough to know that you don’t need the loudest move—you need the right one. And Ogbo could be that guy.
A Win-Win Move That Keeps the Window Open
Signing Ogbo wouldn’t close the door on other options either. It’s a low-risk, high-floor move that gives Detroit flexibility and, maybe most importantly, peace of mind heading into training camp.
Lions fans might’ve wanted fireworks this offseason—but sometimes, it’s the sneaky pickups that pay off big when it matters most. Okoronkwo may not be the savior of the pass rush, but he could very well be the stabilizer Detroit needs.
And if he proves he’s still got that 2022 fire in him? This move could look like a masterstroke by midseason.