The Detroit Lions enter the offseason at a pivotal moment, needing to retool the roster and push themselves back into legitimate Super Bowl contention after a disappointing finish to the year.

One league analyst believes that process should begin up front, with Detroit adding a proven pass rusher to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson and stabilize a pressure unit that has lacked consistency.

Finding Help for Hutchinson Up Front

Hutchinson has established himself as a cornerstone defender, but Detroit has struggled to identify a reliable complement on the other edge. Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher argues that addressing that issue should be a priority, pointing to Cincinnati Bengals standout Trey Hendrickson as a potential solution.

With several premium defenders expected to be available this offseason, Booher suggested the Lions may prefer to shop in free agency rather than rely on the draft to find Hutchinson’s running mate.

“Trey Hendrickson stands out as the top pass rusher on the market,” Booher noted, adding that his price tag could be slightly lower following an uneven 2025 campaign that was disrupted by injuries.

Hendrickson recently returned to Cincinnati on a one-year, $30 million deal, but he is widely viewed as one of the most attractive defensive options available and has drawn interest from multiple contenders. Detroit could be among the teams willing to make a strong push.

If Hendrickson proves too costly, Booher noted that alternative edge defenders could also be in play.

“Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh are among other pass rushers who could command significant contracts,” Booher wrote. “If Detroit can free up cap room through restructures, it becomes far more realistic to upgrade the defense and address the pass-rush inconsistencies that surfaced throughout the season.”

Secondary Still a Concern in Detroit

While improving the pass rush is one avenue, Detroit may also need to revisit its defensive backfield. The Lions have invested heavily in the secondary in recent years, transforming it from a liability into a respectable unit. Still, the group faltered at times in 2025, and additional changes could be coming.

Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker, in his breakdown of ideal free-agent targets for every NFL team, suggested Detroit explore options at cornerback — specifically Los Angeles Rams defensive back Roger McCreary.

Locker pointed out that despite prior investments, uncertainty remains, particularly in the slot, with Amik Robertson no longer under contract.

McCreary, 25, has flashed potential during his NFL career and could offer an upgrade inside. Locker highlighted McCreary’s solid production metrics, including a career PFF grade of 70.0 and a coverage score of 68.7. After joining the Rams midseason, McCreary elevated his play, posting a 79.4 coverage grade and ranking among the league’s best slot corners in snaps allowed per target.

The former second-round pick brings flexibility to play both inside and outside, making him a potential long-term solution with starting upside in Detroit’s defensive backfield.