This offseason, the Detroit Lions need strengthen their porous pass defense. However, David Kenyon of Bleacher Report believed the Lions will accomplish it without having to leave the NFC North. Kenyon predicted that defensive end Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings will sign a three-year, $67 million contract with the Lions.
Hunter was guaranteed $51 million according to Kenyon’s forecast.
Hunter recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023, and he has recorded 10 or more sacks in five of his eight seasons, according to Kenyon. There has never been a greater value than his. Although Minnesota’s financial situation is unfortunate due to their own actions, the NFC North opponent Detroit Lions have a significant need for a pass rusher.
In 2018, Hunter joined the All-Pro second team. Additionally, he has appeared in four of the previous five Pro Bowls, including 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, Hunter led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss and recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks. He also had 22 QB hits and 4 forced fumbles.
How the Lions Could Use Danielle Hunter
Hunter makes a lot of sense for Detroit, despite the fact that he will reach 32 before the end of his three-year contract.
Last season, the Lions led the league in several analytical pass-rushing metrics, including pressure rate, hurry percentage, and quarterback knockdown rate. With 41 sacks, they were tied for 23rd place, nevertheless.
Of those 41 sacks, 16.5 were shared by defensive tackle Alim McNeill and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Among Lions defenders, none had more than three.
If Hunter is signed, the Lions will have a Pro Bowl-caliber rusher to complement Hutchinson. Hutchinson could perform better with Hunter around, which may result in between the two rushers alone accounting for 30 to 35 sacks.
In his eight years in the NFL, Hunter has five times recorded double-digit sacks. He has only failed to reach 10 sacks in the previous five years once, in 2021, when he appeared in just 7 games.
James Houston, a second-year defender, was anticipated to be Hutchinson’s complementary edge rusher going into 2023. However, Houston’s ankle injury from Week 2 kept him out of action for the majority of the 2023 campaign.
Houston might still play a big role in Detroit’s future. However, that shouldn’t deter the Lions from going after Hunter, an already excellent edge rusher.
Hunter, who just had a career-high season in sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and tackles, has the ability to elevate Detroit’s defensive line to the status of one of the best in the NFL.
What Edge Rusher Will the Lions Draft in 2024?
On paper, Hunter is a fantastic pickup for the Lions. Whether general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell think he fits in with the team’s culture is the question.
Another query could be about age. Hunter may never again achieve his 2023 numbers; he turns 30 in October.
Despite being Super Bowl candidates going into 2024, Holmes made it clear in his post-season press conference that the team isn’t seeking for temporary fixes.
On February 5, Holmes told reporters, “Every move Dan and I make has been made to sustain what we are building.” “Every step we take—and I mean every step we take—is to maintain what we have been building,” the speaker said.
Thus, even if Hunter’s signing would undoubtedly make a splash, it’s worth considering whether the Lions might rather target a young edge rusher in the draft.
The Lions are associated with a number of edge rushers who may be available late in the first round, according to early NFL mock drafts.
Detroit is expected to select Missouri defensive tackle Darius Robinson at No. 29 overall, according to a February 5 prediction by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
Additionally, the Lions were reportedly considering Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson, according to NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks.
Furthermore, Dan Brugler of The Athletic predicted that the Lions would draft Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic said that the team would select Ohio State edge rusher JT Tuimoloau.
Although Detroit has been associated with other positions in the first round, it makes the most sense to select a player who can strengthen the team’s pass defense.
Last season, the Lions were 29th in net passing yards yielded per attempt and 27th in passing yards allowed.
Dave Holcomb is a sportswriter for Heavy.com who covers the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. Additional information on Dave Holcomb