INTERESTING;’ Lions Are Expected to Decide on a “Tag-Team” Edge Rusher Following an Unexpected…….
The Detroit Lions are expected to select an edge rusher in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, according to a number of mock draft experts. However, after not picking in the first round at all, Ben Standig of The Athletic projected the Lions to select Chris Braswell of Alabama, one of the best edge rushers in the class.
The Lions were slated to trade back from No. 29 overall to No. 44 in Standig’s mock draft, which was made public on March 25. However, Standig slotted Braswell to the Lions in the second round, even after 15 picks.
“The cornerback room benefited from trading for Carlton Davis,” senior NFL writer for The Athletic stated. “Aidan Hutchinson’s tag-team partner has arrived.”
According to ESPN and Pro Football Focus, the Lions would select Braswell as the No. 4 edge rushing talent in the 2024 draft class. The Lions would also get extra draft capital with a trade back.
Standig suggested that the Lions trade up 15 positions to obtain the No. 112 pick and a 2025 third-round pick with potential for the second round.
It’s difficult to imagine a better trade back situation for the Lions, with two additional high draft picks and a fresh edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson.
How Alabama’s Chris Braswell Could Fit With the Lions.
In 2023, the Lions weren’t a bad pass-rushing club. But Hutchinson, who placed second in the NFL in pressures the previous season, was mostly to blame for that.
The only Lions defenders with more than three sacks in the previous campaign were Hutchinson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill. With 41 sacks, Detroit ranked 23rd overall.
TherefSome scouts, meanwhile, aren’t as enthusiastic about Braswell.
In the 2024 class, he is ranked as the No. 70 prospect overall by Bleacher Report. Braswell was ranked by NFL.com as a guy who “will eventually be average starter.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Edge as an edge defender with good size and length who saw little playing time during his four years at Alabama. “Braswell could be useful as a core special teams player and a decent 3–4 backup or designated pass rusher.”
ore, the Lions are a fit for any of the top edge rushers in the 2024 draft class, even after adding Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader. Braswell is rated as a top 41 player overall by ESPN and PFF, in addition to being the No. 4 edge rusher in the 2024 draft. Therefore, if the Lions selected Braswell at No. 44 in the second round, he would provide some value to the squad.
