Lions Urged to Sign Patriots’ Under-the-Radar Pass Rusher as Aidan Hutchinson Replacement
With the Detroit Lions facing the daunting challenge of losing star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a leg injury, the team is actively exploring ways to bolster their pass rush ahead of the NFL trade deadline. In a recent analysis, FanSided’s Nick Villano offered a compelling case for the Lions to target New England Patriots’ edge rusher Keion White as a potential replacement.
White, a 2023 second-round pick, has impressed in his rookie campaign, tallying four sacks in just six games. Standing at 6’5 and weighing 285 pounds, White is the kind of versatile and physical defensive lineman that Detroit typically values. Despite a slight dip in production after a hot start, White remains one of the more intriguing pass rushers on the market. Pro Football Focus has graded him with a top-10 pass rush score (84.9), further highlighting his potential value as a trade target.
Villano argues that White’s combination of talent and affordability—given his status as a recent draft pick—makes him a prime candidate to step in for Hutchinson. “He is good enough to take over for Hutchinson in the short term,” Villano wrote, “and when [Hutchinson] returns, White is still cheap enough and talented enough to play alongside him.”
.@patriots DL Keion White is the "Piano Man" lining up and down the defensive line…He is winning from a lot of alignments. Not many have his length and size and agility. I like a Big Power Forward over a little Power Forward. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/ZYjkPO4Yvc
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 18, 2024
The Lions could significantly benefit from White’s size and explosiveness in Hutchinson’s absence. While New England may be reluctant to part with such a promising young player, Detroit might be in a position to make an aggressive offer, especially with their sights set on maintaining their defensive momentum as the season progresses.
As the NFL trade deadline looms, the Lions will need to carefully consider their options, but Keion White undoubtedly presents an enticing solution to their pass-rushing dilemma.
