The Detroit Lions are preparing for the draft, but with the annual selection meeting still two weeks away, an opportunity remains to make a well-timed addition that could take pressure off an early pick.
This offseason, the Lions have loaded up on role players at cornerback, but outside of key internal re-signings, the pass rush hasn't been targeted dramatically. That can still change, and a new name has surfaced that could patch this hole very effectively for what Detroit needs right now.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Lions met with former Chicago Bears edge DeMarcus Walker last week, who quickly had another visit scheduled this week with the New York Giants.
Since joining the league as a second-round pick in 2017, Walker has posted 26.5 sacks and 191 tackles to go with 71 total quarterback hits. At 30, he is young enough to still have tread on the tires yet old enough to have seen plenty in the league. To that end, he could represent an ideal addition to Detroit as the offseason moves on.
DeMarcus Walker would cure Detroit Lions' need for pass rush depth before draft
At this point, it seems the ship has sailed in terms of the Lions adding a big ticket piece to the defensive front. Trey Hendrickson is the best fit potentially available on the market, but there's been no rumors of the Lions being in communication with the Cincinnati Bengals regarding a trade aside from internet conjecture.
With this in mind, fans should continue to mentally pivot away from top names to lower-tier additions. It feels likely that the Lions prioritize a pass rusher early within a very deep draft and look to sign a veteran piece to complement him and others from a depth perspective.
In Walker, the Lions may have identified the ideal type of addition. In a complementary role such as the one he enjoyed with the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, Walker is effective. In those stops, Walker posted 16.5 total sacks and was a dangerous rusher. When he started for the Chicago Bears, Walker only posted 6.5 sacks in two seasons. That proves his value as a strategic piece rather than a lone answer.
Drafting a rookie edge and pairing them with a healthy Aidan Hutchinson, a resurgent Marcus Davenport and potentially Walker would be a solid solution to what has felt like a persistent offseason problem in 2025.
