As we inch nearer to the 2025 NFL free company interval, the Detroit Lions proceed to re-sign defenders. At some point after re-signing three linebackers, NFL Community is reporting that the Lions have reached an settlement to return edge rusher Marcus Davenport to a one-year contract.
Let’s check out how this signing will influence the Lions roster now and sooner or later.
Origin story
Davenport was initially drafted with the 14th total decide by the Saints within the 2018 NFL draft, was a rotational go rusher as a rookie, and took over a beginning function the next season. At 6-foot-6, 265 kilos with the power to hurry the passer, set the sting, and drop into zone protection, he provides defenses a lot of choices.
Sadly, Davenport’s profession has been blemished by harm. He missed 17 video games over his first 5 seasons in New Orleans, missed 13 video games with the Vikings in 2023, after which missed 15 video games final season with the Lions.
2024 function: Beginning EDGE
After a strong coaching camp, Davenport proved to be the Lions’ most suitable choice to begin reverse Aidan Hutchinson. In conventional four-man fronts and subpackages, Davenport and Hutchinson would every rush the passer from their edges, however when the Lions launched a SAM linebacker look, Davenport usually exited the sector in favor of Josh Paschal.
Whereas Davenport confirmed a whole lot of promise, he suffered a season-ending tricep harm in Week 3. It was the primary in what could be a devastating run of accidents to defensive gamers in 2024.
2025 function: Problem for a beginning function
With Hutchinson anticipated to be totally recovered from his damaged leg in 2025, the Lions will as soon as once more be on the hunt for a dependable starter reverse him. Along with Davenport, Detroit additionally has Paschal and Za’Darius Smith (the Lions’ beginning edge rushers to finish the season) underneath contract. The trio provides the Lions a good quantity of choices to select from and, on paper, appear like a strong two-deep rotation on the sting. The re-signing of Derrick Barnes because the SAM, additional provides layers to the Lions’ go rush.
Nevertheless, with Davenport’s harm historical past, Paschal probably being at his developmental ceiling, and Smith’s contract placing him in “wage cap casualty” vary, the Lions mustn’t really feel comfy.
Free company influence
With Davenport again within the fold, the Lions gained’t really feel the stress to power the addition of an edge rusher in free company. If the fitting participant comes alongside on the proper value, the Lions will certainly inquire as you possibly can by no means have sufficient edge expertise, however top-end edge rushers usually get massive contracts early in free company, and now the Lions gained’t have to get in a bidding warfare except they wish to.
NFL Draft influence
Whereas the Lions’ edge depth appears workable in 2025, all 4 gamers within the present two-deep rotation have contracts that expire after the 2025 season. Hutchinson is predicted to have his fifth-year choice picked up, obtain a contract extension, or each, however the way forward for the opposite three may be very a lot up within the air.
With no long-term options in hand, the Lions ought to completely stay excited by buying edge rushers within the 2025 NFL draft, together with probably choosing one within the first spherical. Common supervisor Brad Holmes drafts with the longer term in thoughts, so that you higher imagine that he’s protecting the choice so as to add much more expertise on the sting open.
Impression on Lions’ future
Whereas Davenport is a low-risk, high-upside choice for 2025, he may have little to no influence on how the Lions handle the sting rusher place sooner or later, protecting Detroit in play so as to add extra youth on the place this offseason.
