The Lions have had multiple visits with sleeper edge rusher with positional versatility ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Lions continue to be on the lookout to fill the Sam linebacker role, but this player might fit better as a straight edge rusher
The 2026 NFL Draft is just 18 days away, and the Detroit Lions are making sure they do their due diligence with visits.
Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated recently spoke with one edge rusher who has already spoken with the Lions multiple times, and one of the coaches he spoke to tells a bit of a story on what the Lions might see for him.
The Lions have visited with New Mexico edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby multiple times
“I met with the Detroit Lions’ linebackers coach,” James-Newby told Sports Illustrated. “We broke down some plays together. I met with a Lions scout for a second time.”
James-Newby is coming off two pretty good seasons. In 2025, he played for New Mexico and put up 71 pressures and 10 sacks. In 2024, he was at Idaho and had 54 pressures and 10 sacks.
The fact that he met with Shaun-Dion Hamilton suggests multiple things. The first one is that it probably wasn’t a formal meeting at the NFL Combine, but that doesn’t mean they’re not interested. The second is more of a confirmation. A confirmation that the Lions are heavily looking for their next Sam linebacker.
They’ve already talked with Michigan’s Jaishawn Barnham about playing Sam, and they had Michigan State edge rusher Quindarius Dunnigan go through linebacker drills at his Pro Day.
James-Newby hasn’t played a ton of coverage snaps, so it could be one of those things where the Lions might want to experiment. But he might not be the best player to do that with.
Where James-Newby would be great for the Lions is as a straight-edge rusher. He’s shown that he can get home, and he’s shown that he can set the edge and stop the run, which is likely what makes them think about him at that Sam linebacker spot.
If the Lions are hoping to draft James-Newby, they can get it done in the sixth or seventh round. Don’t be surprised if he goes in the sixth. Teams have been keeping an eye on him for sure. In addition to the Lions, he’s also met with the Seahawks multiple times, the Vikings, and the Broncos. He’s got late-round steal written all over him.
Detroit Lions News
