With the NFL’s best offense, the Detroit Lions have a clear focus for the offseason: improving their defense.
The Lions led the league in scoring with 33.2 points per game, outpacing the next-best team by over two points.
Given their offensive dominance and depth of talent, it’s no surprise that defense is the priority heading into the draft.
In a three-round mock draft shared on January 16 by Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling, the Lions are projected to take two key defensive players.
In the first round, Easterling predicts the Lions will select Ohio State edge rusher JT Tuimoloau with the final pick of the round. Then, 32 picks later, he projects them to take Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos.
The selection of Tuimoloau makes sense, as the Lions struggled to generate pressure this season, finishing with just 38 sacks—10th worst in the NFL.
While Aidan Hutchinson will return next year, the team is set to lose Za’Darius Smith, leaving a void on the edge. Tuimoloau, a three-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree, could fill that gap.
This season, he recorded 11.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, and 56 total tackles, delivering clutch performances in key games like Ohio State’s wins over Oregon and Texas.
The pick of Amos is more intriguing. Last year, the Lions used their top two picks on cornerbacks—Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second.
However, Rakestraw has struggled with injuries, missing nine games, and has yet to secure a starting role. Adding to the challenge, Carlton Davis is expected to leave in free agency.
Amos could bring competition to the cornerback room and potentially secure a starting spot. With the Lions aiming to improve their pass defense, this pick could be a strategic move.
As the offseason unfolds, Detroit’s focus on shoring up its defense could help them build a more balanced roster capable of contending at the highest level.
