After a breakout campaign under head coach Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions established themselves as a powerhouse in the NFL last season. Despite dominating throughout the regular season, their playoff journey came to a sudden halt when they were eliminated by the surging Washington Commanders in their postseason debut.
That loss has only fueled the Lions’ hunger heading into the 2025 season. Determined to shake off the disappointment, the team is eager to return to the gridiron and make another run at championship glory.
From a roster perspective, Detroit looks well-equipped to contend for a Super Bowl. However, there are still a few positions that could benefit from reinforcements—most notably along the defensive front.
If general manager Brad Holmes and his staff decide to make a bold addition, bringing in another edge rusher could significantly elevate the team’s defense. Currently, Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are projected as the starting defensive ends, with Josh Paschal and Al-Quadin Muhammad serving as backups.
While Paschal and Muhammad offer solid support, Detroit might benefit from adding a proven veteran who can rotate in and provide a consistent pass rush—particularly to help manage the workload for Hutchinson and the injury-prone Davenport.
Carmen Vitali of Fox Sports recently advocated for the Lions to consider signing experienced edge rusher Matthew Judon, a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
“With Hutchinson returning from injury, Detroit should focus on easing him back into action without overloading him immediately,” Vitali wrote. “And given Davenport’s track record with injuries, it’s wise to have additional depth on the edge.”
Judon spent the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons and, although he didn’t post eye-popping numbers, he was a steady contributor. Over 17 games, he tallied 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a pick, a defensive score, and broke up five passes. Across his NFL career, he has amassed 72 sacks.
Even if he’s no longer an every-down star, Judon still offers value as a rotational piece and could bring experience and leadership to a young Lions defense. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, adding a player of his caliber could prove invaluable down the stretch.
