The Detroit Lions appear to be steering away from adding any more defensive ends in free agency, despite mounting calls from fans for general manager Brad Holmes to take further action on that front.
The Lions recently re-signed Marcus Davenport to a one-year deal, opting not to pursue Za’Darius Smith after his release. However, Davenport’s injury history raises concerns about his availability, especially as Detroit looks to make a playoff push next season.
There is still a notable pass-rusher available in free agency who could bolster Kelvin Sheppard’s defense: Azeez Ojulari. The former second-round pick from the New York Giants has appeared in 46 games since entering the NFL in 2021, recording 22 sacks and 37 quarterback hits, including six sacks in 11 games last season.
Cincinnati reportedly showed interest in Ojulari before opting to sign Joseph Ossai to a one-year deal. Despite his impressive pass-rush stats, Ojulari has struggled with injuries over the years, including a torn ACL suffered during his senior season in high school, as well as recent toe, ankle, and hamstring issues that have kept him off the field.
One reason the Lions might hesitate to pursue Ojulari is his struggles against the run. He earned a 60.1 Pro Football Focus grade for his run defense and a dismal 30.6 tackling grade. As a pass rusher, Ojulari received a 54.6 PFF grade, which is fairly underwhelming.
Detroit’s coaching staff, led by Sheppard, has made it clear that players must earn the right to rush the passer. In an interview with Lions OnSI, Sheppard discussed the need to adjust to personnel, stating, “We played about four different variations of defense here over four years, and that was due to the personnel. It’s not about my scheme. I know what I want, but if that’s not what’s in the room, you have to be able to adapt and adjust. And to me, that’s what makes a great coach, recognizing what a player does well, what a coach does well, and putting those guys in those positions more often than not, and not making it about you, because this is a player-driven league.”
