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Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox proposed the Detroit Lions acquire edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.

The Detroit Lions entered the offseason with a deficiency of edge-rushers, and the team has since assumed an incremental, multi-pronged approach to the problem rather than a big-swing solution.

There was a strong argument to be made for the latter, given the availability of Maxx Crosby via trade and what pairing him with Aidan Hutchinson might mean for a Detroit defense playing opposite what remains a high-powered offensive attack.

The Lions are ostensibly still in a Super Bowl window that opened in 2023, which itself is justification enough to mortgage the top of a couple future drafts and accomplish something the franchise never has by simply getting to the championship game, let alone winning it.

Instead Detroit acted measuredly, signing DJ Wonnum to a $3 million deal before trading up six spots in Round 2 of the NFL draft, from No. 50 to No. 44, to select edge-rusher Derrick Moore out of Michigan.

The Lions can’t reasonably expect a double-digit sack campaign out of either player next season, as Wonnum’s career high is eight sacks, which he’s achieved twice in six seasons, while Moore is a rookie getting his first taste of the league.

That said, there was no reason to project Al-Quadin Muhammad would go off for 11 sacks in 2025, but he still did, so who knows?

The point is Detroit fortified the edge opposite Hutchinson with younger talent/upside potential, which is the same case one can make for former USC edge defender Anthony Lucas as the Lions’ undrafted rookie free agent with the best case to make the 53-man roster this offseason.

Anthony Lucas Possesses Unteachable Physical Skill Set

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report made that precise argument earlier this week on Lucas’ behalf.

“Lucas can eventually carve out a role in the rotation. The 6’5½”, 256-pound pass-rusher has the physical makeup and skill set needed to fit right into Detroit’s defensive system,” Knox wrote. “While Lucas’ collegiate production was lacking (3 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss in 2025), he’s perfectly suited to develop on the back end of Detroit’s roster.”

Lucas is a bet on tangible potential, given his natural size and athletic skill set. Detroit probably can’t rely on Lucas to contribute meaningfully in 2026, but with good coaching amid a winning culture, he can perhaps develop into a rotation player in the future.

Lions Can Add Productive Veteran Pass-Rusher on Value Contract

Unfortunately, Lucas’ trajectory doesn’t factor meaningfully into the win-now mode the Lions are carrying with them into the upcoming campaign.

The team’s additions of Wonnum and Moore probably mean no more free-agency acquisitions for the time being. That said, there is some veteran talent at reasonable price points available on the market.

Cameron Jordan and Jadeveon Clowney are both currently unemployed after 10.5-sack and 8.5-sack campaigns, respectively, and projected for one-year contracts between $6-$7 million.

Detroit has other roster concerns, but if general manager Brad Holmes can find $6 million in the budget, adding a player of that caliber could prove a boon to a team hunting the ultimate prize.