Beleive me, I know you’re freaking out right now. The Detroit Lions are doing some questionable things at the moment, and it’s mainly all at one position: Edge rushers.

Where are they? Why haven’t the Lions signed any? Why didn’t they keep any of the ones they had? Al-Quadin Muhammad is now gone to Tampa Bay.

Well, it really comes down to a few things. My speculation is that the Lions are waiting out the market for some of the short-term veterans who can make a big difference. My pal Jeremy Reisman from Pride of Detroit suggests the Lions are looking to go full bore into a youth movement at the position. Really, it might be somewhere in the middle.

One thing is for certain. Despite the idea that the edge rusher cupboard is barren right now, that is not the actual case. There are plenty of guys left who can help. Here are some names to keep an eye on:

Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney had 40 pressures and nine sacks last year. He’s been a strong run defender as well. Oddly, teams don’t bring him back, which is weird because he plays really well at every stop. He can be had on a one-year deal for $12 million.

Cameron Jordan

Jordan will be 37 when the season starts, but he has not missed a beat after all these years. Jordan put up 36 pressures, 10.5 sacks, and an 82.1 run defense grade. The Lions can get him on a one-year deal worth $8 million.

Joey Bosa

In my opinion, I don’t like the fit here. But to bring up Reisman again, he believes Bosa is one of the best fits for the Lions. He had 54 pressures and 3.5 sacks last year. He can be had on a one-year deal worth $11.5 million.

Von Miller

Miller is 37 years old, but he had a strong season in 2025 with 36 pressures and 10 sacks. A stronger run defender than Martin, but also seven years older. He can be had on a one-year deal worth $10 million.

Arnold Ebiketie

This one makes sense if the Lions are trying to meet in the middle of a youth movement and short-term deals. Ebiketie is still in his late 20s, and he fits what the Lions are looking for. He can run defend, and he can bring pressure. He’s mostly been a rotational guy, but 25 pressures and two sacks on 384 snaps isn’t bad. He was much better with more playing time in 2023 and 2024.

A.J. Epenesa

Another guy, I don’t personally see the vision on, but he’s shown flashes in the past of being a pretty strong pass rusher. The problem is that it was in the past. Last year wasn’t that great for him as part of the rotation. He had 28 pressures and three sacks. If the plan is to have him in Detroit as part of a rotation with younger players, then it makes sense. But he’s not a starter.

Anfernee Jennings

Another rotational edge who could help the Lions out a lot. He’s a lot like Marcus Davenport in the sense that he’s more of a big-end type of guy who is really good at stopping the run. That’s not to say he can’t get home, but we’re looking for guys who can be a part of a package at this point.

Leonard Floyd

One year ago, Floyd was a free agent coming off a season with 44 pressures and 11 sacks. In 2025, he played for the Falcons and didn’t go particularly well. He went down to 36 pressures and four sacks. Still, he’s only 32 years old, and theoretically, he fits the Lions rotation as a pass rush specialist. Maybe he still has it.