Lions’ benefits and drawbacks DL Arik Armstead’s signing
Arik Armstead would help the Lions with their pass rush.
The Lions have not made a “splash” signing through the first three days of the 2024 offseason (which includes the first official day of free agency). And for that, others have chastised them, including Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket.
All of that would change if former longtime San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead was acquired by Detroit general manager Brad Holmes.
San Francisco’s first-round selection in 2015, Armstead, was waived by the 49ers on Wednesday. In 116 career games in San Francisco, the 6-foot-7, 290-pound player recorded 302 total tackles, 43 of which were for loss, 88 quarterback hits, and 33.5 sacks.
The 30-year-old would give the Lions a reliable, experienced pass-rushing presence, as he is capable of playing at EDGE as well as along the interior of the defensive line.
He recorded five sacks, 13 QB hits, and 42 total pressures in 12 games with the 49ers in 2023. He also played 360 pass-rush snaps. According to ESPN Analytics, he was tenth among all NFL defensive tackles in pass-rush victories. He concluded with a PFF overall grade of 81.9 and a career-best Pro Football Focus pass-rush score of 85.1 for his performance.
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Armstead is undoubtedly still a talented player, despite maybe being toward the end of his NFL career (as shown by his performance a season ago). He would provide a pleasant inner complement to Elim McNeill and a more than adequate edge substitute for Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson.
But don’t expect any run-defense support from Armstead. He has had poor run-defense grades from PFF over the past two seasons, 59.1 (2022) and 59.8 (2023).
Nor would I expect him to play in every game for the entire season. During the last five games of the 2023 regular season, he struggled with foot and knee ailments. This offseason, he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. It was during the 2021 season that he last played a full season.
Still, I believe it would be worthwhile for Holmes & Co. to extend a contract offer to the seasoned lineman for a little period of time (let’s say two years).Armstead might be the exact pass-rush reinforcement Detroit needs to go to the Super Bowl in 2024.
