The Lions enter 2025 with much of the same pass-rushing cast as they had in 2024. Who will be their number two behind Aidan Hutchinson?
The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 offseason with the same need for pass-rushing help as the last three offseasons, but even after the draft and free agency, they return a unit almost identical to that of 2024. Aidan Hutchinson, coming off a broken leg suffered against the Dallas Cowboys , should return to full health and anchor the group. Beyond him, though, there remain a lot of question marks.
The Lions re-signed Marcus Davenport, who appeared in just two games before his 2024 season was cut short by injury. They also retained Al-Quadin Muhammad, who appeared in nine games down the home stretch of last season and earned a reputation as a pass rusher with a clutch gene. However, when it was all said and done, the stat sheet wasn’t anything extraordinary.
On the interior, the Lions are hoping some familiar faces can become more consistent. Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike accounted for just 3.5 combined sacks in 2024, but they continually caused disruptions and pressures amidst a drought of edge-rushing talent.
Then there are the rookies. The Lions are hoping first-round pick Tyliek Williams, a defensive tackle from Ohio State , can be the new Alim McNeill while McNeill recovers from a torn ACL suffered late in the year. However, those are big shoes to fill for a rookie. There’s also a glimmer of optimism around rookie Ahmed Hassanein, who was drafted in the sixth-round. But given his college career trajectory and relative newness to the sport, it could mean a lot of potential upside.
Question of the day: Who will be the Lions’ #2 pass rusher in 2025?
On the edge, I think Davenport will slot himself above Muhammad on the depth chart. Davenport didn’t show much to begin his tenure with the Lions, but neither did Muhammad—when afforded the same runway, I think Davenport will acclimate himself more. Additionally, Davenport can benefit if Onwuzurike and Paschal show the same flashes of pressure that they delivered down the stretch in 2024. Muhammad, on the other hand, was already playing with that benefit. The cherry on top is that Davenport is listed at 285 pounds on the Lions’ roster, whereas he played at 265 lbs with the Saints in 2023. Size has been a concern throughout Davenport’s career, and getting more time to acclimate to playing at a heavier weight means he can use it well.
On the interior, I have more optimism about Onwuzurike’s ability to sustain an elevated level of play than Paschal’s. If you factor out Onwuzurike’s health problems (which is, admittedly, a big if,) his one-year, $5.5 million deal looks like a steal. I do think Tyleik Williams will make an impact in year one, but given his lack of detailed pass rushing experience at Ohio State, I don’t think it’ll really materialize until later in the season.
My answer: Ultimately, between Onwuzurike and Davenport, I see Davenport being a bigger contributor when it comes to pass rush. Another full offseason to get used to his larger frame and getting the full arsenal of interior pressure and a healthy Aidan Hutchinson should give him plenty of opportunities to put his full talent on display in 2025.
Who do you think will bet he Lions’ #2 pass rusher in 2025? Vote below and let us know your thoughts.