Entering the 2024 campaign, Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike was facing a make-or-break year after three lackluster campaigns to begin his career.
After missing all of the 2022 campaign due to injury, Onwuzurike had a very small role in 2023, playing on just 21% of snaps over 10 games. As a result, the former second-round pick wasn't even guaranteed to make the roster this year.
However, it was quickly evident that Onwuzurike was going to turn things around during the offseason. After a strong training camp and preseason, Onwuzurike has already surpasses his career-high sack total and is playing the best football of his career.
That has changed his fortunes drastically, which has put him in position to land a better payday than he otherwise would have when he hits free agency in 2025 following the final year of his $8 million rookie contract.
Looking ahead to next year, Onwuzurike is going to have suitors in free agency, and Bleacher Report's Scouting Department believes he could end up with the Lions' division rival, the Minnesota Vikings.
On a related note, Minnesota will likely be in the defensive tackle market this offseason since Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery are impending free agents.
While Onwuzurike's career got off to a slow start, he's been having a solid campaign this fall. The 26-year-old had 22 pressures on 204 pass-rush snaps, per PFF, through Week 8 and has been solid against the run.
While the Lions will almost certainly want Onwuzurike back after what he has shown, if the Washington product garners a significant offer from another team, the Lions may decide to go in a different direction considering the amount of money the team already has invested in its defensive line in Alim McNeill and DJ Reader.
However, Reader may only be with the team for another season beyond 2024, so the Lions could view Onwuzurike as the heir-apparent for the veteran, and at 26 Onwuzurike would offer a long-term solution.
As Bleacher Report points out, the Vikings are going to have a need on the inside in 2025, and Onwuzurike would be a fine addition to fill that void. Adding to that, he offers versatility with his ability to line up on the edge, and stealing him from a division rival is just an added bonus.
