The Detroit Lions closed out their 2024 regular season in commanding style, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 at Ford Field on Sunday Night Football. With this victory in Week 18, Detroit secured the NFC North title for the second straight year and earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history.
Thanks to their top seed, Dan Campbell’s squad will enjoy a bye week in the Wild Card round, allowing them to rest and prepare for the Divisional Round. While the team focuses on recuperating for their upcoming postseason journey, general manager Brad Holmes also has a crucial opportunity to strengthen the roster ahead of the playoff push.
Despite having one of the NFL’s deepest rosters, the Lions face concerns in the edge rusher department. Injuries to key players like Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport have taken a toll on the position group. While the addition of Za’Darius Smith has helped bolster the pass rush, Holmes may look to further address this need before the Lions take the field in the Divisional Round.
With the NFL’s roster freeze deadline for playoff teams set for 4 p.m. EST on January 8, the Lions need to act swiftly if they intend to make any moves. While the free-agent market has limited options, Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report suggests that the Lions should consider signing veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
As Knox explains, “Detroit could also provide a sensible landing spot for Ngakoue. The Lions defense has been hit hard by injuries, but the biggest blow was the loss of star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. He’s been out since Week 6 with a fractured tibia and fibula, and if he returns at all this year—a very big if—it probably won’t be until the Super Bowl.”
Although Ngakoue isn’t the same player he was during his peak years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 29-year-old still possesses the potential to provide solid depth in Detroit’s edge rusher rotation. This season, Ngakoue appeared in 11 games, splitting time between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, recording 1.5 sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.
Ngakoue’s recent seasons have seen him bounce between teams, but he remains a capable veteran presence. In 2022, he notched nine sacks and 44 quarterback pressures with the Indianapolis Colts, and even in 2023, he managed four sacks with the Chicago Bears.
While it’s clear that Ngakoue is no longer an elite pass rusher, he could still be a valuable addition to the Lions’ defensive line for their postseason run. His experience and ability to contribute in a limited role could help fill the gap left by Hutchinson‘s injury.
