Wonnum’s addition all but assures the Lions avoid making the one move that Lions fans have been worried about
On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions finally gave fans what they’ve been asking for when they added edge rusher D.J. Wonnum. Of course, Lions fans are still asking for more, and they’re very likely to get it. The Lions brought eight edge rushers into camp last year, and they have just four guys right now. They’re […]
On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions finally gave fans what they’ve been asking for when they added edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
Of course, Lions fans are still asking for more, and they’re very likely to get it. The Lions brought eight edge rushers into camp last year, and they have just four guys right now. They’re going to get some more help, and they should get it pretty soon.
But this signing does point to the Lions not doing the thing those same Lions fans have been fearing and asking me about since the offseason started.
The D.J. Wonnum signing comes as close as you can get to a guarantee that the Lions won’t be trying things with Marcus Davenport for a third time
When the Lions signed Davenport before the 2024 season, they were trying to add a piece to their defense that they had been trying to add for years. A big end who and set the edge in the run game and brings some pass rush help as well. Davenport was that guy when he was on the field. Unfortunately, injuries kept him out, and he only wound up playing 10 games for Detroit in two seasons.
Wonnum is the Lions’ next attempt at finding that piece since it didn’t work with Davenport, Pascahl, or Onwuzurike. Since Wonnum can set the edge and do it pretty well, and he has pass-rush ability, the Lions do not need to go out and add Davenport for a third time. He just wouldn’t have any place to play. Wonnum takes his spot.
On the Al-Quadin Muhaamad front, this is not necessarily a Muhammad replacement. The Lions are probably still looking for that guy. A pass rush specialist. Muhammad racked up sacks last year, but he also showed he couldn’t play three downs. Of the 457 snaps he played for the Lions in 2025, only 83 of them were run defense snaps. The Lions didn’t trust him there. They can trust Wonnum a lot more.