Detroit Lions Eye EDGE Help in 2025 NFL Draft, Mike Green Emerging as a Target
The Detroit Lions are riding high after a stellar 2024 season, boasting one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. However, even the best teams have areas for improvement, and for Detroit, that area is depth on the edge.
With Aidan Hutchinson locked in as the face of the defense and Za’Darius Smith set to return as a starter, the Lions have a solid core at the position. However, Smith, now 32, will be a free agent after the 2025 season, leaving the Lions to ponder their long-term strategy at this critical position.
Bleacher Report’s Jake Rill sees a solution: Marshall EDGE rusher Mike Green. Rill projects the Lions to select Green late in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, addressing both their present depth concerns and future needs.
Mike Green: The Nation’s Sack Leader
Green announced his entry into the NFL Draft in mid-December, capping off a breakout season that has scouts buzzing. After transferring to Marshall in 2023, Green made an immediate impact with 4.5 sacks in his first year. In 2024, he leveled up, leading the nation with an eye-popping 17 sacks.
His dominant performance as a full-time starter showcased his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield, solidifying his status as one of the top pass rushers in the 2025 draft class.
Scouting the Potential Fit
Despite his elite production, Green isn’t without his challenges. At 6’3” and 245 pounds, he’s a bit undersized for an every-down role in the NFL. Scouts, including Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, believe Green will need time to add size and strength to handle the physicality of NFL run defenses.
“So, if Green can add the necessary size and strength in an NFL weight program, he can become an every-down player as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts,” Holder wrote. “As a rookie and maybe for his first couple of years, he’ll likely be more of a third-down pass-rusher though.”
Detroit offers the perfect environment for Green’s development. As a rookie, he could serve as a rotational pass rusher, learning behind Hutchinson and Smith while refining his run-stopping technique.
Draft Strategy: Late First or Early Second?
The consensus among draft experts places Green as a second-round talent, but the Lions may have other plans. With a late first-round pick, Detroit could see Green as a worthy investment to secure a key piece for the future.
If the Lions believe Green will be available in the second round, they could trade back, acquire additional picks, and still land their man. However, if they value Green’s potential to grow into an every-down player, taking him in the first round wouldn’t be a stretch.
The Future of Detroit’s EDGE Corps
Adding Green would solidify the Lions’ pass-rushing depth while addressing the impending need for a successor to Smith. With Hutchinson leading the way, Detroit’s defensive line could dominate for years to come.
In a draft loaded with talent, the Lions have flexibility. But one thing is clear: adding help on the edge is a priority, and Mike Green’s record-breaking sack numbers make him an intriguing option to bolster the defense in 2025.
