The Detroit Lions are looking to add a quality edge player in the draft. New defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard could benefit from pairing a returning Aidan Hutchinson on the edge with another edge rusher. With a wealth of defensive talent available this year, here are top candidates who might be available as the 28th pick.
Defensive End Draft Candidates for Detroit Lions
There has been a great deal of discussion lately about the wisdom of trading for elite, big-ticket veterans such as Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby. Brad Holmes prefers signing free agents and relying on the draft rather than trading for a high-value player. Acquiring an elite talent through a trade can be extremely costly in terms of compensatory draft picks, salary cap issues, and losing key personnel.
It’s also a big risk. If the acquired player is seriously injured, the consequences could be devastating for the team. However, given Holmes’ draft track record, it’s easy to see why the Lions EVP and GM would choose this route.
Holmes has done a superb job of building the Lions team through the draft. In his first year with Detroit, Holmes hit a home run drafting Penei Sewell , Alim McNeil, and Amon-Ra St Brown. His second draft class in 2022 brought the outstanding talents of Aidan Hutchinson , Jameson Williams, Josh Paschal, Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez.
Although Holmes was initially criticized for trading up for Jahmyr Gibbs, no one is questioning his choice now. Holmes hit it out of the park with the 2023 draft class which also brought Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta , and Brian Branch to Detroit.
With the 2025 draft class boasting several highly rated prospects, here are three defensive players who could be a good fit for the Lions.
Draft Prospect-James Pearce (Tennessee)
Tennessee Volunteers edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. has the size and skill set to become an impact player for Detroit. The 6’5” 242 lb. Pearce is one of the top pass rushers in the draft after back-to-back All-SEC titles in college. A standout player in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, Pearce returned an interception for a 52-yard touchdown in the Volunteers 35-0 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.
During his three-year college career, Pearce had 71 total tackles, including 29.5 for a loss, 19.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Described as having explosive speed off the line of scrimmage, his quickness and athleticism make him especially dangerous to opposing quarterbacks.
Pearce is an attractive option for Detroit who can quickly adjust to avoid blockers and spin out of their grasp. His height is a definite advantage. However, Pearce’s slender, rangy build could be problematic against heavier opponents who could easily push him out of the way.
Draft Prospect-Mike Green (Marshall)
At 6’3″ 251 lbs., Virginia native Mike Green may prove to be one of the surprise sleepers of this year’s draft. Green attended the University of Virginia but failed to distinguish himself as a Cavalier. Appearing in six games his freshman year, Green managed only four tackles and one sack. After sitting on the bench for his entire sophomore year, Green transferred to Marshall where he recorded 43 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Returning as a starter in 2024, Green led his team to their first-ever Sunbelt Conference championship with an NCAA-best 17 sacks.
What makes Green such an enigma for the upcoming draft is the lack of history to support his top draft status. He exploded onto the scene in 2024 and grabbed the nation’s attention. But prior to that, he failed to distinguish himself as a top-tier candidate. Was Green’s 2024 success an anomaly, or is he just beginning to realize his potential as an outstanding athletic talent?
A physical pass rusher, Green is known to be aggressive in his attack, has great use of his hands, and is quick off the line. Aside from a lack of history as a full-time starter, another potential weakness is a short wing span . Green could miss tackles due to his limited arm reach.
Mike Green | EDGE | Marshall
6’3”, 250 lbs | Player Style Comp: Nolan Smith
Green dominated the Senior Bowl with elite burst, bend & pass-rush technique. If he tests as expected at the NFL Combine, he could vault into the Top 15 discussion. #NFLDraft #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/Y0Xrd8vxyd
— Football Scout 365 (@DraftAnalyst365) February 14, 2025
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Draft Prospect-Jalon Walker (Georgia)
A native of South Carolina, Jalon Walker grew up in a family where his father coaches college football. The five-star recruit had nine tackles and one sack in his first year at Georgia. Walker was a member of the Bulldogs team that throttled TCU by a score of 65-7 for the National Championship. In his sophomore year, he found his rhythm, upping his production to 20 tackles and five sacks. But Walker really became a standout in his junior year. A first-team All-American, he was named the Walter Camp winner and received the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
At 6’2″ 245 lbs. the Bleacher Report rates Walker as having “a good size and frame for a linebacker with impressive movement skills.” Versatile enough to play multiple positions, Walker can be an impact player defending both the run and passing game. An aggressive pass rusher, Walker could be a great fit for the Lions when paired with Hutchinson.
How One of These Draft Candidates Could Boost The Lions Defense
The Lions defense showed a remarkable improvement in 2024 under former DC Aaron Glenn. Detroit was rated the seventh-best in the league for points allowed after ranking a dismal 23rd the year before. What makes this accomplishment all the more impressive is that the Lions maintained this rating despite the injury loss of Hutchinson, McNeil, Davenport, Rodriguez, Carlton Davis, and Alex Anzalone. But the Lions “next man up” philosophy powered the defense through most of the season. In the absence of Anzalone, Campbell stepped up. Branch and Joseph had career-best numbers. Holmes acquired Za’Darius Smith to strengthen the defense. Despite the injuries, the defense held tough.
Armed with a returning healthy defensive line, DC Kelvin Sheppard’s unit is primed to be among the best in the league. One of the needed areas of improvement for Sheppard to address in 2025 is reducing the number of yards allowed. Detroit ranked 31st out of 32 teams allowing more than 247 yards per game. By comparison, the Tennessee Titans allowed the fewest yards with 177.3. Acquiring a talented edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson could free up other defenders to tighten our pass rush so the team doesn’t give up big chunks of yardage. If the Lions stay healthy and control this issue, Detroit’s defense will be stronger than ever.
Main Photo: [Peter Casey] – USA Today Sports
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