The Detroit Lions may still be seeking an EDGE to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
Detroit selected rookie Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round of the NFL draft, but without another major acquisition, the team is expected to pair Marcus Davenport with Hutchinson to kick off training camp.
With training camp only a little over two months away, the Lions have ample opportunity to seek an addition for the defensive end competition. A number of fascinating veterans remain accessible.
Here are five EDGE rushers the Lions might consider pursuing before training camp.
Za’Darius Smith
The Lions obtained Smith at the trade deadline to strengthen the pass-rush with Hutchinson sidelined for the season. He was useful in the matches he participated in for Detroit, achieving 40 pressures and four sacks.
Smith was let go by the team before free agency began, as general manager Brad Holmes acknowledged that his existing contract was too costly to retain him. Nonetheless, Holmes mentioned that the team was receptive to a possible reunion.
The experienced player recorded nine total sacks during his tenure in Cleveland and Detroit last season and might still be effective in 2025. A comeback of Smith would enhance the level of competition in that position, if nothing else.
Matt Judon
A Michigan native who played at Division II Grand Valley State, a return home might rejuvenate Judon following a disappointing 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons. He is a four-time Pro Bowl pick with 72 career sacks in nine seasons.
The veteran is still without a contract as the offseason program begins, and there could be doubts regarding his capability to contribute beyond just being a specialized pass-rusher. He might regain some of the brilliance that led to his 15.5 sacks in 2022, but an injury the next season followed by a lackluster 2024 raises concerns.
If Judon can rediscover that rhythm, he could be a valuable addition for Detroit during the offseason. Nonetheless, as he approaches his age-33 season, it’s unclear whether he can actually return to that level.
Von Miller
A previous Super Bowl MVP, Miller was let go by the Bills following the end of the 2024 season. A two-time Super Bowl champion and an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he would offer a strong winning background to a Detroit team striving to overcome the last hurdle in their pursuit of a championship.
Following a 2023 season where he didn’t achieve a sack, Miller tallied six sacks in 2024. At 36, he lacks the same explosiveness that once established him as one of the top players in the game, but he can still offer a valuable presence for Detroit’s defense.
Preston Smith
Smith is another experienced free agent aiming to return to top performance. Last season, he tallied 4.5 sacks while with Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Only a year ago, he was highly efficient and recorded eight sacks, leading to hope that he can return to that standard.
Durability has never been an issue for Smith, as he has participated in a minimum of 16 games each season. Consequently, he would serve as a dependable veteran for the team and a consistent veteran presence. He might not be the preferred elite choice, but would be a player the team could rely on to help.
Dawuane Smoot
Smoot reached the verge of the Super Bowl last season, being part of a Bills squad that was defeated in the Conference Championship by Kansas City. As a rotational defender, Smoot showed consistency in run defense despite only registering 1.5 sacks last season.
The seasoned defender’s finest season occurred in 2021, during which he recorded six sacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although he may not boast the most impressive statistics, Smoot would serve as a valuable addition alongside Hutchinson and the other players by providing a reliable edge-setting capability against the run.