The Detroit Lions discovered a terrific edge rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, but have failed for two seasons to find a dependable pass rusher to compliment him.
According to one source, the organization could want to sign a veteran who recently had his greatest season with the Buffalo Bills.
Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press analyzed the team’s offseason needs, saying that the Lions struggled to defend the pass and provide consistent pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Ramsey proposed that the Lions target edge rusher Leonard Floyd, who had double-digit sacks with the Bills in 2023.
Lions Add Experience to Pass Rush
Ramsey stated that the Lions might pursue a variety of free-agent defensive lineman, including Calais Campbell and Jadaveon Clowney, but identified Floyd as the most likely addition. He stated that the former Los Angeles Rams pass rusher would not be cheap, but he could offer significantly to the Detroit defense.
“He will be 32 in September, but produced 10½ sacks this season for the Bills,” Ramsey stated in an email. “His projected 2024 contract is two years and $16.2 million, for an average of $8.1 million per year, according to Spotrac.”
Floyd has previously stated that he will not give the Bills a hometown discount, noting following the team’s playoff exit that he intends to accept the best deal he can receive.
“For me, I always follow the money. I would rather be here, but that is what it is. It is a business. Floyd told the Democrat & Chronicle, “I’m going to go wherever my agent feels we can get the most money from.”
Detroit Could Take Another Route
The Lions might also continue to strengthen their pass rush through the draft, as they did with Hutchinson and fellow second-year player James Houston, who showed flashes of stardom in his first season but also struggled with injuries.
According to Christian Booher of SI.com’s All Lions, the team could target UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, who is expected to be drafted late in the first round. While the Lions may need to trade up to get Latu, Booher said in November that he could be a nice fit in Detroit after returning from a medical retirement in college due to a preseason neck injury in 2020.
“He possesses elite quickness and a knack for getting to the quarterback, along with the ability to a sure-tackling ability that has produced 18.5 tackles for loss this season alone,” Booher wrote, adding, “Concerns about his durability as it relates to his injury could hurt his draft stock, though his production as of late has seemed to counter those misgivings. He’s played in all 23 games possible over the last two seasons, so durability isn’t an issue.
Latu is also determined to prove himself in the NFL after being forced to spend two years away from sport while recovering from his neck injury.
“All the while when I wasn’t playing football, I just had the determination and the mind-set that I was going to be able to come back and play football and prove to the world what I could do,” Latu said in an interview with The Associated Press.
