Internal Options or External Help? Lions Must Decide How to Complete Their Pass Rush…
Aidan Hutchinson has firmly established himself as the face of the Detroit Lions’ defense. His relentless motor, technical growth, and ability to impact both the run and the pass make him one of the most valuable young defenders in the NFL. However, the pass rush as a whole still feels incomplete, largely due to the lack of a consistent threat opposite Hutchinson.
Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara, and John Cominsky have all seen snaps on the opposite edge, but none have produced with enough regularity to draw attention away from Hutchinson. The result? Offenses can scheme heavily to his side—using chips, double teams, and play direction—without fearing consequences from the other edge.
It’s not just about sacks. Pressures, quarterback hits, and forced throws matter too. Hutchinson led the team in virtually every pressure category in 2023, but Detroit’s ranking in total team pressures and sack rate hovered around league average. When you look at elite defenses—San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore—the common denominator is a dynamic duo on the edge. Detroit has one, but they need the second.
The draft came and went with Detroit focusing more on the secondary, which certainly needed help. Yet questions remain about whether James Houston can stay healthy or develop into a full-time starter. Houston showed flashes in 2022 but didn’t build on it due to injury. And while players like Josh Paschal offer versatility, they don’t possess the explosive traits that scare offensive coordinators.
If Detroit wants to evolve into a complete team, one capable of matching up with the NFL’s best offenses deep into January, the missing edge presence has to be resolved—whether through trade, free agency, or an unexpected leap from a young player. Otherwise, Hutchinson’s impact risks being dulled by predictable, lopsided blocking schemes.
The Lions’ front office faces a defining question: is the answer to their pass rush problem already on the roster, or should they look outward to find a true bookend for Aidan Hutchinson?
Internally, hope still lingers for 2022 sixth-round pick James Houston, whose eight sacks in seven games during his rookie year created a wave of excitement. Houston is explosive off the line and has the bend to be a situational pass-rusher, but he hasn’t yet proven he can be an every-down player. Injuries have stalled his development, and in 2024, he’ll have to prove he’s more than just a flash in the pan.
Josh Paschal and John Coming KY are valuable rotational players with solid run defense and gap discipline, but neither has shown the dynamic edge skills needed to change games. Romeo Ok wars, once a double-digit sack player, has not been the same since his Achilles injury. The pieces are there for a decent rotation—but not yet a feared one.
That’s why Detroit could consider outside options. There are still free agents available like Yannick Ngakoue or Carl Lawson—veterans who, while flawed, have proven they can get to the quarterback. The Lions have also been rumored in trade conversations before; general manager Brad Holmes isn’t afraid to be aggressive if the right player becomes available.
One sleeper name to watch is Drake Jackson, recently released by the 49ers. Though inconsistent, he flashed edge potential in a rotational role and might benefit from a change of scenery. The Lions don’t need a superstar—just someone who can win 1-on-1 matchups enough to keep offensive lines honest.
Ultimately, this decision will impact how high the Lions’ defense can climb. The back end looks much improved with the addition of Carlton Davis III and rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and the interior defensive line has strength with Alim McNeill and DJ Reader. What’s missing is the closer—someone to make quarterbacks think twice when they look away from Hutchinson.
Whether it’s Houston stepping up, a bargain free agent pickup, or a trade deadline splash, Detroit can’t afford to waste Hutchinson’s prime years by not giving him the support he deserves.
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