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The Detroit Lions need pass rush help, and beyond the top options here are five edge rushers they could have on their radar in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions struggled quite a bit defensively at times during the 2021 season. One area of particular need is pass rush, as they registered 30 sacks (third-fewest in the league) with plenty of poor marks in deeper metrics too.
As currently constituted, the Lions have question marks at edge rusher. Charles Harris is an unrestricted free agent, while Trey Flowers is an easy cut candidate and Romeo Okwara will be coming back from a torn Achilles.
With the second overall pick in April’s draft, the Lions will most likely end up with Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux or even Travon Walker. All three would add plenty of juice to a pass rush that sorely needs it.
But even if they take one of those top edge rushers very early or maybe get one with their second first-round pick, doubling-up with a later-round pick is definitely possible for Detroit. For the purpose of this exercise, let’s define “later rounds” as Detroit’s second currently projected second third-round pick (No. 97 overall) or later. The Lions don’t have a fourth-round pick right now, otherwise I’d start there.
So on that note, here are five “later-round” edge rusher prospects the Lions could (or even should) have on their radar in the 2022 draft.