5 EDGE Rushers Lions Could Add to Roster Before Training Camp

The Detroit Lions addressed their pass-rush in the 2024 NFL Draft, but not in the way many pundits expected.

Detroit elected to add an interior pass-rush prospect in Mekhi Wingo, but did not bring in a defensive end amongst their six picks. As a result, Brad Holmes will have to scour the free agent market in search of help in this area if he feels they need an upgrade.

With many of the top pass-rush players off the board already, the free agent market at this position consists mainly of veterans looking for another opportunity. Detroit could consult them in an effort to help compete with veteran Marcus Davenport and young budding starters Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal and James Houston.

Here are five defensive ends who the Lions could target in free agency.

Carl Lawson

Lawson has been up-and-down throughout the latter part of his career. After a productive start to his career with the Bengals, he inked a deal with the New York Jets worth $15 million AAV. However, the Jets weren't able to reap the returns from the veteran.

He missed the entire 2021 season, and failed to record a sack in six games in 2023. He was fully healthy in 2022 and had seven sacks, which is evidence of the potential impact that he can provide when healthy.

The Lions could elect to take a chance on Lawson with hopes of bringing the best out of him. Still just 28 years old, he could still have room to grow.

Myjai Sanders

Sanders is an interesting case. A third-round pick in 2022, he had a decent rookie campaign with three sacks and a forced fumble in 13 games. However, injuries at the beginning of the 2023 season ultimately led to him being waived, and he wound up with Houston for the remainder of the season.

After playing seven games with the Texans and making a minimal impact, he's on the free agent market currently. There's some upside for the Cincinnati product, who had 13.5 total sacks in four collegiate seasons.

Sanders will have to prove himself to earn a spot, but the 25-year-old is in a unique position after being cast off by multiple teams. Could he bounce back with a season in Detroit?

Yannick Ngakoue

Ngakoue is a productive veteran who has been around the league as of late. In eight NFL seasons, he's played for six teams including two NFC North foes in Minnesota and Chicago. He played 13 games for the Bears last year, posting four sacks.

The veteran has 69 career sacks and has been effective as a pass-rusher throughout his career. He trailed only Montez Sweat in pressures amongst Bears' EDGE defenders last year, as he posted 34.

Ngakoue has played across a number of different defensive schemes, so he would likely adapt quickly to Detroit's defense. He suffered an ankle injury last season, but appears to be nearing full health and should be able to contribute by training camp.

Shaq Lawson

Lawson has bookended his career in Buffalo around different stints with a pair of other AFC East teams in New York and Miami. He was most recently with the Bills for the last two seasons, the latter of which saw him record just one sack in 16 games.

The veteran defender has been a rotational piece in years past, so he could wind up signing with a team who needs a pass-rush specialist. Entering his age-30 season, Lawson could be looking for his final opportunity to make a strong impact for a contender.

Bud Dupree

Dupree is a veteran pass-rush specialist who has continued to provide production nearly a decade into his career. Last season with the Falcons, he logged 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.

Though he is far removed from his double-digit sack days, as his only 10-plus sack season came in 2019, he has proven to be a solid rotational piece. He'd also bring a veteran sense to a unit that has gotten much younger with the departure of Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara.