The Detroit Lions won’t have many holes to fill in the 2025 offseason thanks to having one of the most complete rosters in the league, but one area where they could use an addition is along the edge.
The Lions are slated to go into next season with Aidan Hutchinson and Za’Darius Smith as their starters, but Smith is 32 years old and will be a free agent in 2026.
Knowing that, Detroit should start thinking about the future at such an important position. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Jake Rill has the Lions selecting Marshall EDGE Mike Green in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Green, who announced he would enter the draft in mid-December, transferred to Marshall in 2023 and tallied 4.5 sacks in his first year with the Thundering Herd.
But Green took his game to another level in 2024 when he became a full-time starter, posting the most sacks in the nation with 17, a total that has no doubt caught the attention of scouts everywhere.
“So, if Green can add the necessary size and strength in an NFL weight program, he can become an every-down player as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote in his scouting report.
“As a rookie and maybe for his first couple of years, he’ll likely be more of a third-down pass-rusher though.”
The consensus among experts appears to be that Green will need time to develop at the next level, especially as a run defender. With that being the case, the Lions are a great landing spot, as Green could serve in a backup role and learn behind Hutchinson and Smith, which would take a lot of pressure off him.
The consensus also seems to be that Green is a second-round talent, but drafting him late in the first round wouldn’t feel like that much of a reach. Plus, if the Lions covet him and think he’ll be around into Round 2, they could trade back to acquire another pick and still get their guy.
However the Lions go about it, they need to add more help along the edge in 2025. That’s why Green is a realistic option for Detroit at the end of the first round.
MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS
Lions predicted to sign $3 million cornerback to replace Carlton Davis
Lions star Kerby Joseph rips 49ers’ Jauan Jennings after Terrion Arnold fight
2 Detroit Lions finish among top vote-getters for 2025 Pro Bowl Games
Read the full article here
