Lions' Aidan Hutchinson gets recognition ahead of new season

The Detroit Lions have one of the strongest edge rushers in the league in Aidan Hutchinson, and he's proven to be one of the best draft picks for Detroit in quite some time.

Hutchinson is so good that the team has actually gotten criticized for relying too much on him and not having another elite edge rusher to pair with him. We're looking at you, Brad Holmes.

In any case, the Lions have a winner in Hutchinson, and he's getting a boost of confidence right before the season starts.

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson named one of the top edge rushers in the NFL

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has a feature out on Wednesday, July 8, naming the best edge rushers in the NFL heading into the 2026 season. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts for the piece.

Hutchinson comes in at No. 5. He's been as high as No. 2, but No. 5 is still fantastic. Fowler notes that "Hutchinson's unique skill set makes him a steady climber up the board. During the 2025 season, Hutchinson was second in pressures with 63, third in quarterback hits with 35 and tied for second with four forced fumbles.

"Skilled with his hands, very good speed-to-power rush to keep offensive tackles off balance and his superpower is his motor is nonstop," a veteran NFL defensive coach said in the report.

So, the Lions have no excuses this season. They have one of the best defensive players in the league on their side. The Lions have solid players on offense and defense, and that should should translate into wins.