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The Detroit Lions entered the 2024 offseason with a need along the edge opposite star Aidan Hutchinson, and general manager Brad Holmes addressed that need by signing veteran Marcus Davenport.
Unfortunately, that plan went by the wayside rather quickly, as Davenport suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3. Making matters worse, the Lions also lost Hutchinson to a significant injury.
Weeks later, the Lions filled the void by trading for Za'Darius Smith, who the team is hoping can bridge the gap and help Detroit get to the Super Bowl, when Hutchinson will have a chance to return.
Making the trade for Smith even better is the fact that he's under contract in 2025, so the Lions could pair him up with Hutchinson for a full season next year and not have to dip into the edge rusher market again.
But the Lions may want to start planning ahead at the position, regardless of Smith's contract situation. After all, he's 32 years old and doesn't figure to be a solution beyond 2025.
One avenue to do that will be the 2025 NFL Draft, where Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer has Detroit taking Ohio State edge rusher, Jack Sawyer.
"Sawyer has the relentlessness to fit the Lions' current aggressive makeup, and Aaron Glenn would like his chess-piece ability to help well beyond the complementary pass rush for Aidan Hutchinson," Iyer wrote.
Sawyer's sack totals aren't overly impressive, as he's tallied just 17 over three-plus years with the Buckeyes, including a career-best 6.5 in 2023 and three in 2024.
But as Iyer notes, Sawyer is a great fit for the Lions' culture. Sawyer is a high-effort, high-IQ player who also excels against the run. With some NFL coaching, the Ohio State standout has the tools to be an impact pass-rusher at the next level and could prove to be the long-term solution Detroit needs opposite Hutchinson.
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