The Lions have finally added an edge rusher in free agency, but they are not done yet
The Lions have finally added an edge rusher, but they’ll need more help.
There you go, Detroit Lions fans. The Lions have signed an edge rusher. It finally happened.
The Lions are signing D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million
We’ve had Wonnum on our list of free agents the Lions should sign since after the 2023 season. He was coming off a big year for the Vikings, where he had 38 pressures and nine sacks opposite Danielle Hunter. He wound up going to the Panthers. We’ve had him listed as one of the best remaining players for the Lions after the first wave of free agency, and Wonnum was on that list again.
He did not put up the numbers he put up with the Vikings in Carolina, but that could potentially be because they traded Brian Burns away the second he got there, and he got hurt in 2024. In 2025, Wonnum started the entire season for the Panthers and put up 31 pressures and three sacks.
We talked with our Panthers beat writer, Kole Noble, about what the Lions are getting in Wonnum. Here’s what he had to say:
“D.J. Wonnum started his career with the Minnesota Vikings and had a mixed bag of success throughout his first four years with the team totaling 23.0 sacks in 31 starts. As a free agent in 2024, Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers to be a starting edge rusher under Ejiro Evero. He made 11 starts in those two seasons, totaling just 7.0 sacks. The lack of production is concerning but his impact went beyond the sack numbers. He’s a physical edge setter and solid against the run. Coaches in Carolina praised his ability to open rushing lanes for other defensive linemen. He’s a true “dirty work” guy at the position and rarely gets the credit he deserves from stat sheet watchers. However, it’s worth noting that in December of 2023, Wonnum underwent surgery to repair a torn left quadriceps tendon, a rehab process that included multiple complications. Since then, he hasn’t quite looked like the same player but he still gave full effort for 24 games in Carolina. The Lions and their fans should just be aware of what they’re signing up for by bringing him in.”
If you were hoping for the answer here, he’s not likely to be that. He can be a very good rotational player who has starting ability, and the Lions should still look to draft one high and maybe even grab another veteran from the market. This is a good start for the Lions by signing him.
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