The second half of the Detroit Lions‘ season underscored the value of quality depth at the most important positions on the roster.
Detroit’s depth was severely tested, especially defense, by several injuries to marquee players, beginning with Aidan Hutchinson fracturing his tibia and fibula in an October Lions loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Ultimately, 15 different Lions defenders suffered significant injuries throughout the season.
After the Lions fell to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell could be aggressive this offseason to patch up some of the holes on the roster and add dynamic talent at key positions of need to close the gap on teams like the Philadelphia Eagles at the top of the NFC.
Could the Detroit Lions Trade Up in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Whether via free agency, the draft, or ideally both, the Lions are going to need to add disruptive and dynamic edge rushers opposite Hutchinson, if the defense is going to regain its teeth that paved the way to an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2023.
Bleacher Report suggests that Holmes and the Bears could trade up in April’s draft, targeting pass rush help.
“Shemar Stewart will likely garner more pre-draft buzz,” Gary Davenport writes for B/R. “So much so that’s it’s possible that teammate Nic Scourton will be there at No. 28. But the 6’4” 280-pounder could be worth a move up by the Lions, as he’s one of the more NFL-ready edge prospects in this class and has drawn comparisons to longtime Saints star Cameron Jordan.
“The point here is this: the Lions need a battery-mate for Hutchinson. And if Holmes identifies a prospect like Scourton that he likes, Detroit shouldn’t be shy about making a move to get him.”
Scourton could be a plug-and-play starter, if not a solid consolation prize should the Lions not be able to pry Myles Garrett away from the Cleveland Browns, in what would be a similar blockbuster move.
Last season, Scourton finished with five sacks as a disruptive force along the Aigges’ front-seven, and would be a welcomed addition in MoTown.
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