Lions 2023 draft preview: At edge, Detroit could choose to add talent to a deep position

Over the next several days, leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions’ roster and evaluating how the team might address each unit. Today: Edge defenders.

▶ Current roster: Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky, Romeo Okwara, Charles Harris, James Houston, Julian Okwara, Josh Paschal

▶ Short-term need: 3.5 out of 10

▶ Long-term need: Eight out of 10

▶ Top prospects: Will Anderson, Tyree Wilson, Myles Murphy, Nolan Smith, Lukas Van Ness

▶ Day 2 options: Keion White, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Zach Harrison

▶ Late-round considerations: Colby Wooden, Brenton Cox Jr., Thomas Incoom, Caleb Murphy

▶ Analysis: After struggling to get consistent pressure on the quarterback for years, the Lions suddenly have a wealth of talent on the edges of the defensive line.

Obviously, any discussion starts with Hutchinson, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft. After a sluggish start to his rookie season, he showcased his talents down the stretch after the team adjusted his alignment, using him more out of his preferred two-point stance. He finished his rookie campaign with 9.5 sacks and a team-high 53 pressures.

He was complemented by the rapid emergence of Houston, who wasn’t promoted to the active roster until Thanksgiving, but managed to rack up eight sacks in just 140 snaps across the final seven games. His speed rush serves as a nice pairing with the inside-out power of Cominsky, who finished second to Hutchinson with 44 pressures, despite playing most of the season with a club over a surgically repaired thumb injury.

In terms of depth, Detroit is bringing back Romeo Okwara and Harris, the team’s sack leaders in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Both were plagued by injury last year, but are expected to be at full strength to start the 2023 season. And the group is rounded out by Paschal, a second-round pick a year ago, and Romeo’s younger brother, Julian.

All in all, that’s a young, solid group with clear room to grow and build on last season’s performance.

But, as the saying goes, you can never have too many pass rushers. And, as it stands, the Lions should have a good opportunity to add a premium edge defender in the early stages of this year’s draft.

At No. 6, the only player who can presumably be ruled out is Anderson. The top defender in this class should be gone by that point, potentially coming off the board as early as the No. 2 pick. But Detroit could have its choice after that, including Texas Tech’s Wilson. Big-framed with long limbs, there’s some overlap in the way he plays with the older Okwara. And given his contract expires at the end of this season, there’s a logical case to be made for Wilson as a long-term replacement.

If the Lions don’t end up having him as an option, or choose to go a different direction early in the first round, there should be some edge-rushing talent available when they’re back on the clock at pick No. 18. Among the group that could potentially be available are Van Ness, the athletic power rusher who didn’t start for Iowa, or Smith, Georgia’s undersized flamethrower, who won’t shy away from physicality to simply lean on his elite burst and speed.

On the second day, if he doesn’t come of the board before Detroit gets to select, it’s easy to envision White’s versatility as a fit. The team likes having pieces that can be mixed and matched, and the former tight end’s elite athleticism would give the Lions a second Cominsky-like talent up front.

Or, from more of a pure pass-rushing standpoint, Anudike-Uzomah’s versatile move set and hot motor will carry appeal on third downs as he’s developed into a more complete player.

Later in the draft, there are some local prospects who should be selected. Central Michigan’s Incoom posted 11.5 sacks for the Chippewas and will garner added attention for his high-effort playing style. And at Ferris State, Murphy racked up 25.5 sacks last season — yes, you read that correctly. Obviously, there will be questions about how the skill set translates against a much higher level of competition in the NFL, but that kind of production is no fluke.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers