While the Detroit Lions should be considering an edge rusher in the upcoming NFL Draft, using their first-round pick on one might not be necessary.
As the NFL Combine begins in Indianapolis, addressing the edge rusher position remains a top priority for the Lions. General manager Brad Holmes does not strictly draft based on need, but he also doesn’t overlook clear positional gaps, as seen in last year’s early selections at cornerback.
This year’s draft class is considered strong in terms of edge rushers. At pick No. 28, the Lions may find a quality player available. If a higher-rated player unexpectedly slides down the draft board, trading up could also be an option. Alternatively, they could wait until their second-round selection at No. 60 to address the position.
The key concern is whether it’s necessary to reach for an edge rusher. Of course, draft-day evaluations are often premature—many initially thought Jahmyr Gibbs was a reach, yet he proved to be a valuable pick. Ultimately, only time will tell whether a selection was justified.
Lions Target an Edge Rusher in Kiper’s Mock Draft
Mel Kiper’s latest first-round mock draft, released on Tuesday, has the Lions selecting UCLA’s Olwafemi “Femi” Oladejo at No. 28.
“Oladejo has been climbing draft boards, moving from a projected third-rounder to the second-round conversation after a strong Senior Bowl performance. Projecting him as a first-rounder is a bit of a stretch, but he’s generating buzz. He is expected to perform well at the combine due to his explosiveness and high energy. While he only recorded 4.5 sacks in 2024, his game tape is impressive,” Kiper explains.
Detroit’s defense suffered a wave of injuries in 2024, which hindered an otherwise dominant team. However, even when healthy, the Lions lacked a reliable pass-rushing partner for Aidan Hutchinson. Za’Darius Smith contributed four sacks in eight games after joining midseason, but no other edge rusher on the roster surpassed three sacks. Given the team’s strong roster elsewhere, addressing this issue should be a priority for Holmes, both in free agency and the draft.
Oladejo’s transition to an edge rusher is still a work in progress, as he was primarily an off-ball linebacker until 2024. His sack total last season wasn’t eye-catching, but he did rack up 14 tackles for loss. A strong performance at the combine could boost his stock even further.
Despite his rising profile, Oladejo is currently projected as a third- or fourth-round prospect. His athletic build (6-foot-2, 261 pounds) aligns with the type of edge rushers the Lions typically target, and his name has already been linked to Detroit as a player to watch at the combine.
Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire noted that Oladejo fits the mold of players Detroit has taken chances on in the middle rounds.
“For someone from a major program, Oladejo is still a developmental prospect as a pass rusher, given that he only recently transitioned from linebacker. The Lions have a history of drafting players who are converting positions, and they showed interest in him during Senior Bowl week,” Risdon observed.
In an ideal scenario, Detroit would land an edge rusher who could make an immediate impact. Given the depth of talent in this draft class, they may not need to take a developmental project in the first round. Oladejo could eventually become a Lion, but unless his stock rises significantly, using their first-round pick on him seems unlikely.
