.jpg)
4 hours ago
1
The Detroit Lions still have a few glaring needs after the 2025 NFL Draft, especially at edge rusher. Outside of Aidan Hutchinson, the team lacks high-end talent in the position group, and adding a capable running mate opposite Hutchinson should be a priority.
The Lions could look towards the trade market to solve the need, but ESPN's Matt Bowen predicts general manager Brad Holmes will opt to go the free agency route and pursue a reunion with Za'Darius Smith.
"The Lions took only one edge rusher in the 2025 draft (Boise State's Ahmed Hassanein), leaving a need for a veteran opposite Aidan Hutchinson. So even though Detroit released Smith in March, bringing him back on another deal makes a lot of sense," Bowen wrote.
Smith was released by Detroit ahead of free agency and has yet to land on a team. The veteran was traded to the Lions from the Cleveland Browns during the trade deadline last year and gave the pass rush a nice boost after Hutchinson went down with a season-ending leg injury in Week 6.
Bringing back Smith would be a logical move by Holmes, as the 32-year-old is still a productive player who posted nine sacks in 2024 and has missed just two games in the last three seasons. Smith should also be cheap to sign and already has experience playing in Detroit's defense, though they are under a new coordinator in Kelvin Sheppard.
The Lions have already started gearing up for a potential reunion with Smith, as Detroit signed the experienced edge rusher's nephew, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, to a nice UDFA deal after the draft. The three-time Pro Bowler returning to the Motor City just makes too much sense.
MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS
Lions predicted to move on from $10.5 million All-Pro ahead of 2025 NFL season
Detroit Lions completely dominate rankings of best NFL players under 25
NFL owners to vote on Lions rule proposal that would drastically change playoffs
English (US)