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The Detroit Lions are being advised to add a seasoned edge to their lineup to back franchise pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

The Detroit Lions have officially closed out their 2026 NFL draft, and it was a relief to see general manager Brad Holmes actually draft an edge early in the scheme with Michigan’s Derrick Moore in round two.

Now, powerhouse pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson has a buddy on the field in Moore, and they can bond over their University of Michigan ties and similar roles on the Lions’ squad.

But, the Detroit Lions could still use depth in the edge position, and there’s still a strong, available edge in free agency. Now, the Lions are being encouraged to pursue a veteran pass rusher to beef up their defensive line and make it deeper.

Detroit Lions Should Ink This $21 Million Edge to Cap Off Draft

One of the most in-demand names in free agency this late in the offseason is former Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa. He was cut loose from the team during the offseason and still hasn’t found a home.

Epenesa was actually going to land with the Cleveland Browns, but he failed his physical. Sounds familiar? Yes, Maxx Crosby had that same fate. But, if Epenesa passes a Detroit Lions physical, he could be a missing piece of the team’s puzzle for the 2026-27 season.

In a Monday, April 27 feature for A to Z Sports, Mike Payton picks Epenesa as a fit for the Detroit Lions.

“Epenesa did just get signed by the Browns during free agency, but then failed his physical, and the signing didn’t go through,” he notes in the piece. “The Lions have their starter in Derrick Moore and their rotational guy with D.J. Wonnum, but one more guy doesn’t hurt.”

He adds, “Basically, the point here is that the Lions give him a physical and see if he can pass it, and then the defensive line gets even deeper. It’s worth a look at the very least.”

Other Teams Likely Also Interested in Veteran Edge, Including Chicago Bears

Payton likes the idea of Epenesa to the Detroit Lions, and what’s not to love about an edge with veteran skills helping the squad? Other teams are likely interested, too. In a piece for the Bears Wire, Mike Pendleton urges Ben Johnson to look at the player.

“One of the younger free agents available, AJ Epenesa had his one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns rescinded due to concerns with physical, so he’s still on the open market,” he states in the piece.

He adds: “He’ll likely only be able to land a one-year deal still, and if the Bears’ medical staff are comfortable with bringing him in, he’d have a chance to build off a productive career so far, where he’s had 24 sacks and four interceptions in his first six seasons with Buffalo.”

Epenesa’s career earnings to date, according to research from Spotrac, are $20.6 million. Considering that he just failed that Cleveland Browns physical, the Lions could likely get him for a steal.

So, would signing Epenesa totally add fire to the Detroit Lions’ lineup? Probably not, but even with Moore as a new and exciting edge to pair with Hutchinson, it would be great to have a veteran player available to slot into that position.