Veteran free-agent pass rusher reportedly met with Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are mocked by practically everybody, far and extensive, for an edge rusher within the first spherical of the upcoming NFL draft.

Whereas that could be the case, the Lions are nonetheless kicking the tires on some leftovers on the free-agent market. ESPN experiences the Lions met with veteran cross rusher DeMarcus Walker final week.

Walker, 30, began all 17 video games for the Chicago Bears final season. The 2017 second-round select of Florida State made sporadic begins all through the primary six years of his profession, then noticed 29 begins throughout his two seasons in Chicago.

He had 3.5 sacks in every of the final two years, together with 16 tackles for loss and 32 quarterback hits throughout his time with the Bears.

Walker’s greatest season got here in 2022 whereas with the Tennessee Titans when he posted a career-best seven sacks. Nonetheless, he’s been a constant stress creator from a rotation, notching 48 quarterback hits throughout the final three seasons and no less than 30 pressures in 4 consecutive seasons.

Detroit’s cross rush was missing down the stretch final season. They have been with out Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport and Mekhi Wingo on the line of defense, and it confirmed. Hutchinson is predicted again, whereas the Lions re-signed the oft-injured Davenport.

McNeill and Wingo, who play on the within, are recovering from ACL accidents suffered within the second half of final season. The Lions signed Roy Lopez in free company to eat inside reps alongside DJ Reader. However extra depth for the perimeters in free company or the draft would permit gamers like Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike to play inside extra.

Brad Holmes informed native reporters at NFL house owners conferences that Onwuzurike’s return paired with higher damage luck for Davenport may free Paschal to hurry the passer inside extra. The Lions basic supervisor stated they have been pressured to make use of Paschal as a pure edge rusher final season as a result of all of the accidents.

“So, we feel pretty good,” Holmes stated final week. “Actually, we’re getting kinda heavy on the defensive line. Not saying that any position will be ignored.

“But so far I feel like we’ve had success, and we’re going to continue to fill depth, as I think you saw last year how important that part is.”

BetMGM has the Lions at +450 to win the NFC for the upcoming 2025-2026 NFL season. Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook evaluation offers a information on how to enroll and use the platform.