Lions Offseason Positional Analysis: DL
- DB Keener
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
This is the sixth in our series of roster analysis by position group for the 2026 offseason leading up to Free Agency and the NFL draft. Today’s focus will be on the DL room, which has three of the four positions nailed down, but still is missing that fourth amigo and the depth and rotational guys all have questions.
DL
Under Contract:
EDGE: Aiden Hutchinson, Ahmed Hassanein (Futures), Josh Paschal (IR), Chris Smith (Futures)
DT: Alim McNeil, Tyleik Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo,
Free Agents:
IDL: DJ Reader (UFA), Roy Lopez (UFA), Myles Adams (UFA-PS)
EDGE: Marcus Davenport (UFA), Al-Quadin Muhammad (UFA), Tyrus Wheat (RFA), Pat O’ Connor (UFA-PS)
Analysis:
At first glance, the Lions appear set with three of their four starting DL over the next several years outside of an Edge opposite Hutch. Unfortunately, there are questions about starting both DTs (Williams and McNeil), no clear starter at the other Edge and the depth is a glaring red flag at this point in the off-season. Let start with a look at the three starters Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeil and Tyleik Williams. Hutch had a decent, but slower than expected only flashing his 2024 self periodically, but not quite finishing as you would expect. Once he cleared any mental and lingering physical hurdles form the broken leg, he started to look explosive the entire game about a third of the way through the year. This seems to be pretty typical recovery timeline form a broken leg and getting back into football shape, so there are no concerns there at all form my standpoint. At DT, McNeil was in the same boat as Hutch when he came back from his torn ACL in Week 7. Similar to Hutch, he just didn’t look right, with only small were glimpses of the dominate player from 2024 even though his snap count percent stayed above 82% from Week 9 culminating in him playing 95% of the defensive snaps in the Week 12 GB loss on Thanksgiving. However, starting in Week 13, his snap counts decreased to mid-70% range as he appeared to hit a wall physically (worn out?) and was looking a bit slow and sluggish. He then picked up a late abdomen injury that also hampered him and he basically missed the last two game of the year. I believe that a complete offseason schedule will get McNeil back on track to where he was in 2024. The other presumed starting DT is the rookie Tyleik Williams, who actually played pretty well, but saw limited time on the field. Unfortunately, he often found himself competing for that 3rd/4th DT playing time with veteran DJ Reader (UFA) and they were both overshadowed by Veteran Ray Lopez (UFA) as the season went on. One Williams has a compete off-season in the program, I expect to see the same kid that dominated during Ohio States run to the national title.
As far as depth goes at Edge there is rookie sixth-rounder Ahmed Hassanein (futures contract), Josh Paschal (coming off season-long IR) and Chris Smith (futures contract). While a healthy Paschal and a more seasoned Hassanein may show promise, Smith is a depth player at this point in his career. In all three instances, there are major questions if they will make the roster, let alone fill a starters’ role. This is definitely an area that will require significant attention this off-season, likely ion both the draft and Free Agency. The DT depth isn’t much better, as it consists of just Levi Onwuzurike (IR) and Mekhi Wingo (barely played) right now, and both could possibly be cut or traded before the season. Onwuzurike was re-signed to a one-year deal, but promptly suffered a knee injury that kept him out the entire season, but his contract tolled so the Lions control his rights in 2026. He was starting to come on in late 2024 and there is zero incentive to cut him, because he has a $1.5M salary that is fully guaranteed, so assuming he is healthy, he will likely be one of the backups. As for Wingo, he has shown virtually nothing in the 13 games he has played in his career, notching 12 tackles and a single QB hit. His only saving grace is that he is cheap, being in the third year of his rookie deal, but he does only have $93K in dead money and a cap savings on a little over $1M if the Lions decide to move on. So, he seems a prime candidate to be traded or cut at some point this offseason.
Options:
Currently, the DL is a major concern with two edges on futures deals, another coming off season-long IR and only Aidan Hutchison a reliable presence. At DT, both McNeil and Williams should be fine, but depth has questions. I believe that Onwuzurike will be a decent backup and likely play at the same level Reader provided last year, but Wingo doesn’t appear like he can be counted on unless he turns the corner quickly. As for Edge, bringing back Muhammad (who likely won’t get what he wants in FA) and signing a steady veteran (like Bosa or Epenesa) and an up and comer (like Ossai or Paye) would make the most sense to get starting level quality and depth in one shot. Therefore, I expect the Lions to be active in Free Agency for both Edge and IDL to fill out the starting and depth roles. If the Lions don’t get a starting EDGE in FA, then the 1st or 2nd round pick will likely be in play along with lower rounds, As the EDGE depth in this draft is pretty good through Rd 3.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the potential to acquire EDGE Max Crosby from the Raiders in a trade. I find it highly unlikely the Lions would go that route due not only to the potential cost of up to two 1st Rounders plus, but also the fact that Crosby is sitting on a guaranteed Base Salaries of $30M in 2026 and, as soon at March 13th hits, Guaranteed Base of $29M in 2027. His $26.5M and $27.4M base salaries in 2028 and 2029 aren’t guaranteed, but would likely force any restructuring to lower those base salaries into Void years well beyond what is left of his playing career. That is an awful lot of draft capital and cap space to commit to a guy who has missed multiple game in each of the last two years and will be 29 in August.
Free Agent
IDL: Dre’Mont Jones (UFA), Tim Settle (UFA), Logan Hall (UFA), John Franklin-Myers (UFA), Naquan Jones (UFA), Ray Lopez (UFA), DJ Reader (UFA)
EDGE: Max Crosby (TRADE), Trey Hendrickson (UFA), Joey Bosa (UFA, AJ Epenesa (UFA), Joseph Ossai (UFA), Kwity Paye (UFA), Malcolm Koonce (UFA), K’Lavon Chaisson (UFA), Al-Quadin Muhammad (UFA)
Draft Pick
IDL: Kayden McDonald (1st-Mid), Lee Hunter (2nd), Darrell Jackson Jr (3rd), Chris McClellan (4th), Albert Regis (5th), Zxavian Harris (6th), Zane Durant (6th), Rayshaun Benny (6th), Keeshaun Silver (UDFA), Gabriel Rubio (UDFA)
EDGE: Reuban Bain (Top 5), David Bailey (Top 10), Cashius Hall (1st-mid), Ahkeem Mesidor (1st-2nd), Derrick Moore (2nd), Gabe Jacas (3rd), Dani Dennis-Sutton (3rd) Caden Curry (4th), Tyreak Sapp (4th), Max Llewellyn (5th), Patrick Payton (6th), Khordae Sydnor (UDFA), Sam M'Pemba (UDFA)
Bottom Line:
It looks like Brad Holmes will have his work cut out for him restocking the DL this offseason. The Edge market in FA is particularly enticing if you are looking for short-term, long term or a diamond in the rough. Trey Hendrickson is the big catch, but will also cost big money and is 32 and he could shoot for the moon and trade for Max Crosby, but at what cost? However, there are a bunch of consistent guys that are 26-28 years old like Epenesa, Paye, Ossai, Koonce and plenty of 20+ guys that can fill the void. While Edge is also deep in the draft, if the Lions can get a starter in FA, that gives them more flexibility in the draft to go after the BPA at a position of need at OL or Dl, or not feel bad if they move up for a stud that drops at DB, LB or TE. As for DT, I think Ray Lopez is definitely one the Lions want back and they will likely look to get him re-signed before FA starts, as the FA IDL market is very weak this year. Out of the 52 FAs that are not restricted, only 10 are currently 28-years old or younger and only five of the 52 played at least 50% of their team’s defensive snaps in 2025, including the Lions DJ Reader. So, while this is a veteran bunch, a lot of older guys that aren’t every-down IDL are on the market so depth can be had at around $5M APY or less to complement our starters in McNeil and Williams. As for drafting an IDL, there are actually about 5-6 early round options, but the later rounds will have some intriguing 3-tech guys and pure run stuffers also available to fill out that depth.
In the end, I think that Holmes makes a splash and grabs a starting caliber Edge in Free Agency along with another depth guy along with trying to re-sign Muhammad and pick up a developmental Edge later in the draft. Don’t be surprised if the IDL depth is filled via the draft, as the FA market is mainly aging rotational guys that may be overpriced for what the Lions need in those roles. I think Ray Lopez may actually have a bigger market in FA than Muhammad, as there is less competition, so it would behoove the Lions to try and get him re-signed before the market opens.
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