The undrafted Lions edge rusher that everyone keeps talking about, including Dan Campbell

I get it, the Detroit Lions defensive line has some injuries, and now the sky has fallen so hard and so far that everyone is bumping their heads on it. I'm not going to lie, I think the Lions made some mistakes by thinking everything would be ok there this offseason, but I do not by any means believe this is a death knell or something. 

The reason I don't believe that is because there is still some talent on this line. Don't forget Aidan Hutchinson is back, and he looks like he hasn't missed a beat. DJ Reader looks good, it's early, but Marcu Dabenport is healthy and is turning heads, Roy Lopez looks good, and rookie Tyleik Williams looks ready to start if the season began today. This is still a strong group. 

Then there's this undrafted free agent edge rusher out of Houston that has everyone in Allen Park talking. His name is Keith Cooper Jr., and he might have himself a shot to make this roster and wow some people. 

It all started at rookie minicamp when he was there as a tryout player. Cooper just kept making plays over and over again, and it was hard to not notice him. The Lions felt the same way and signed him. 

On Tuesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell brought Cooper up unprompted. 

"Look, we kind of like Cooper. Now, he's a young guy, right? Let's see what he can do." 

With Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, and Mekhi Wingo out for the foreseeable future, the Lions are going to get that chance to see what he can do. 

Now, don't expect Cooper to be a Pro Bowler in year one or anything like that. Don't expect him to be a starter either. But you can look at him as someone who can impress enough to crack the rotation and get some serious playing time in the early part of the season if he has a good enough summer. 

Cooper played for the Houston Cougars in 2024 after transferring from Tulane. He showed to be a really solid run stuffer in college and has pass rush ability that could be fine-tuned and made better. He finished the season with 29 pressures and four sacks in 12 games. 

Keep an eye on Cooper the rest of the summer. He should get some play in the Hall of Fame game next week as well.