Lions Officially Part Ways With Top Veteran DT After The Crisis
The Detroit Lions added some new talent to their defensive line in the NFL draft, including one addition that could create roster trouble for a veteran lineman.
The Lions re-signed defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike to a one-year, $5.5 million contract in March, but Sterling Xie of Pro Football Network predicted he could have trouble making the final roster at the end of the summer. The Lions will need to make some difficult decisions on the defensive side of the ball, with Onwuzurike potentially landing on the wrong side of the roster bubble.
Rookie Could Steal Levi Onwuzurike’s Roster Spot
Xie noted that the Lions have been amassing talent on the defensive line, including first-round pick Tyleik Williams and some recently added veterans.
“Although edge rusher might loom as a bigger need, the Detroit Lions now have plenty of beef on the interior of the defensive line,” Xie wrote. “First-round DT Tyleik Williams profiles as a plug-and-play option from Day 1. D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez are reliable veteran run-stuffers as well, while big edge rushers like Brodric Martin and Josh Paschal can kick inside on passing downs.”
Xie suggested that the roster crunch could make it difficult for Onwuzurike to carve out a spot on the depth chart, noting that he has been something of a disappointment after the Lions invested a second-round pick in him.
While Xie suggested that Onwuzurike could also become a trade candidate, he added that the Lions may ultimately decide to keep him around for much-needed depth — especially after the team was beset by injuries on defense in 2024.
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