The Detroit Lions have racked up 20 sacks in the first five games of the season, more than any team in the NFL. That number alone says plenty about how disruptive this front has been. Still, there’s a case to be made that Detroit shouldn’t sit still if the right upgrade comes along.
Aidan Hutchinson and DJ Wonnum have both been major reasons for that pass-rush surge. Hutchinson has piled up 32 pressures, 21 hurries, six QB hits, four sacks and four tackles for loss, while Wonnum has posted 11 pressures, four hurries, two QB hits, five sacks and five tackles for loss. Even with that production, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Lions should add another impact edge to the mix.
Barnwell recently floated a deal that would send fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2027 draft to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for edge-rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback Donte Jackson.
On paper, it gives Detroit two things it could use. Mack would give the Lions another proven pass-rushing threat to rotate with Hutchinson and Wonnum, while Jackson would help a secondary that has been battered by injuries and the release of Terrion Arnold.
“At 35 years old, (Mack) is still a valuable edge defender for the Chargers,” Barnwell wrote. “He has three sacks and six quarterback knockdowns through six games, and Mack's 5.0% quick pressure rate is still well above the league average of 3.9%. Mack has always been solid against the run, and he can step into any defense and be a viable, above-average edge-rusher for the remainder of the season if he can stay healthy.
“… DJ Wonnum has a team-high five sacks as he takes advantage of defenses double-teaming Aidan Hutchinson, but Detroit could certainly use another edge rusher to take some of the workload off its two starters and provide some help if Hutchinson or Wonnum goes down.”
Mack is already one of the most talked-about players on the trade market. The nine-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year has been tied to multiple teams, including the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, among others.
That means Detroit would likely have competition if it decides to make a run at him. Even so, the payoff could be clear: a playoff pass-rush trio of Hutchinson, Mack and Wonnum would give the Lions a serious edge when it matters most.
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The case for Goff is built on consistency more than flash, with his passing production and quarterback rating helping him separate from Caleb Williams, Jordan Love and Kyler Murray in the current rankings. The part that may matter most to Detroit, though, is how well he has paired efficiency with ball security, a combination that has become central to the Lions' offensive identity and a big reason he keeps setting the pace in the division. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Costly Sam LaPorta Decision They Can't Delay
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For now, the conversation with LaPorta has slowed, with the clock inching toward the point where Detroit has to decide how aggressive it wants to be. Tight end prices across the league are moving up, and if the Lions want to prevent LaPorta from getting anywhere near free agency, they may have to consider a franchise tag that would carry a hefty price tag of its own. [Read more 🡒]