Did the Detroit Lions miss a critical opportunity to bolster defense?

The Detroit Lions have switched up their defense this offseason. For one, the team finally got the memo that they needed to get some help for edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. They drafted Derrick Moore and Blake Miller to bolster their defense, and they also signed edge rushers DJ Wonnum and Payton Turner, among other noteworthy moves.

But, there are always some decisions that could come back to bite them. As with any team, it's difficult to read the future, and that means not every decision is going to work out as hoped.

The Lions certainly helped their case on defensive end during the offseason, but will it be enough to offer a real boost to their defense? That's the question.

Lions may have missed an opportunity to solidify their defense, but maybe not

Christian Booher of Detroit Lions on SI asks the question, "Will the Lions regret not signing A.J. Epenesa?" The defensive end, of course, just signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

So, did the Lions miss out on an opportunity? Maybe, but maybe not. We'll see how Epenesa fares this season with Philly. As Booher says in the piece, "his performance may have been on a downward turn, as he logged just 2.5 sacks last season for the Bills."

On one hand, the Lions have never made a truly dramatic move to get help for Hutchinson, and all the baby moves made during the offseason don't really count. But, they took a chance when they traded up to get Moore, and he could become the next Hutchinson. He had 10 sacks with the Michigan Wolverines in 2025, and snagging him was one of the smartest decisions Brad Holmes could have made. So, while there may be regrets about not going for Epenesa or some other available defensive ends (we're looking at you, Maxx Crosby), the Lions are looking pretty solid.