The Detroit Lions have one of the most gifted young cores across the NFL, but general manager Brad Holmes has largely sat out free agency this spring.
With the exception of signing D.J. Reed to replace Carlton Davis, who departed to the New England Patriots, at cornerback, the Lions haven’t broken the bank in their quest for a complementary edge rusher to Aidan Hutchinson or any of the few needs across the roster.
Detroit Lions’ Signing Hailed as One of NFL’s Best
Just because the Lions haven’t spent big money doesn’t necessarily mean Detroit hasn’t made any impact additions.
Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team put together a list of the top ‘value’ signings through free agency’s first week, including the Lions keeping defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike around on a one-year contract worth $3.5 million guaranteed, atop the list.
“A second-round pick in 2021,” Brooke writes of the Lions’ signing of Onwuzurike. “Levi Onwuzurike was a late bloomer, rarely seeing the field until injuries forced him onto it this past season. He made the most of his opportunities, becoming a breakout star in the middle of Detroit’s defense, generating 47 pressures.
“That felt like just the beginning of Onwuzurike’s upside in the NFL. At 27 years old, he could continue to be a disruptive interior pass rusher on a bargain deal for the Lions in 2025 before earning a big payday next offseason.”
The Lions are in a position to bet on Onwuzurike’s upside based on the talent already on the roster, and he has the potential to elevate what had already been one of the league’s most disruptive defenses if he continues to develop on this trajectory.
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