Detroit Lions sign edge rusher Daniel Hunter
This offseason, the Detroit Lions could really use an addition at edge rusher. What better way to do so than to make that addition equal a division rival’s subtraction? That notion was brought up by Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports with Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter.
On February 23, Benjamin’s NFL free agency mock draft connected Hunter to the Lions.
“Detroit’s front four is led by Aidan Hutchinson, but the Lions need more edge after their postseason run,” Benjamin wrote. In order to acquire Hunter, one of the most physically intimidating pass rushers in the game, they had to plunder their division rivals, the Vikings.
Hunter would provide a great boost to the Lions’ passing attack. Hunter last appeared on the All-Pro team in 2018, but in 2023, he led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss and had a career-high 16.5 sacks.
In five of the previous seven seasons, he has attained double-digit sack totals.
In his nine years in the NFL, Hunter has reportedly made $94.8 million, according to Spotrac.
Why the Lions Targeted Delaware Danielle Hunter
In terms of passing yards allowed, passing touchdowns given up, and net yards allowed per pass attempt, the Lions were among the lowest six teams at the end of the 2023 campaign. In addition, cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley, Jerry Jacobs, and Kindle Vildor will be eligible for unrestricted free agency.
The Lions need to improve and add more depth at cornerback in order to be in a better position to contend for the Super Bowl. However, improving the pass rush would also benefit Detroit’s secondary.
In 2023, the Lions recorded just 41 sacks while ranking first or second in the league in pressure rate, hurry percentage, and quarterback knockdown rate. 23rd in the league was that.
Two rising talents are defensive lineman Alim McNeill and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.Hutchinson led the Lions in 2023 with 11.5 sacks. On the other side of Hutchinson, though, the Lions could use a supplementary edge rusher.
Hunter is the right person.In the last six years, he has made four trips to the Pro Bowl.
He was named to the All-Pro second team in 2018. He came in sixth in the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year poll. Hunter recorded 14.5 sacks in both years.
A pectoral muscle ailment limited his 2021 game action to only seven.Hunter’s neck ailment also kept him out of action for the entire 2020 season.
However, Hunter has six sacks in those seven 2021 games. Then, in 2022 and 2023, he returned with double-digit sack seasons.
When healthy, Hunter has often had an incredible pace. He has accumulated 62 sacks, 77 tackles for loss, and 95 quarterback hits in his last 73 games.
By acquiring Hunter, the Lions may be able to field one of the league’s top defensive lines.
