The Detroit Lions have the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. While that selection offers Detroit the opportunity to add a game-changing talent, the Lions will have eight picks in the remaining six rounds of the draft, leaving plenty of chances to make upgrades. The offensive line and linebacker rooms both need some help, but edge rusher is another position the front office should have its eyes set on.
With linebacker Alex Anzalone and edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad each signing new deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions would be wise to get some additional depth at the position in light of the offseason changes. They should be able to do that after the first round concludes on Thursday night, as well.
Western Michigan edge rusher Nadame Tucker could present some potential in the later rounds. He is currently listed at No. 188 on the NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus board. The Lions have the 181st pick in the fifth round, so Tucker may still be available if the Lions are interested.
Nadame Tucker Could Be a Steal for Lions in Draft
One of Tucker's biggest strengths is his quickness and athleticism, and he put those on full display during a sensational 2025 season at Western Michigan. The 6'1", 247-pounder not only led his team in sacks, but he was tied with Texas Tech star, and projected top-three pick, David Bailey, for the most sacks in the country (14.5) last season.
Additionally, the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-MAC selection led the FBS with 21 tackles for loss and tied for sixth with four forced fumbles. However, due to his tendency to get "swallowed and controlled at the point of attack," in his lone season as a full-time player at the FBS level, he projects as an average backup or special teams contributor, according to his draft profile.
Despite the obvious concerns that come with a player projected to be drafted in the later rounds, the upside that Tucker showed with Western Michigan last season could be too much for Detroit to pass up if he is still on the board.
For instance, Alim McNeill did not look the same last season after returning from a torn ACL, while Tyleik Williams is still a work in progress, totaling just 18 tackles in 2025. That is what made the Lions' inability to acquire Dexter Lawrence a major blow, considering the impact he could have made on the defensive front.
Fortunately for Detroit, it still has Aidan Hutchinson, who had a team-high 14.5 sacks last season and led the NFL with 100 total pressures. He continues to show why his recent contract extension is a steal and why it is important for the Lions to give him some help on the opposite side of the defensive line.
In addition to Hutchinson, McNeill, and Williams, Levi Onwuzurike is coming off a torn ACL, and DJ Wonnum may not be entirely trustworthy despite trending up with a pair of eight-sack seasons. Aside from that group, the rest of the defensive front raises questions about the quality of depth in the event of an injury.
Tucker amassed 10 combined tackles in 13 total games during his first three collegiate seasons at Houston before breaking out at Western Michigan last season. While that certainly raises some eyebrows about whether his 2025 performance was just an outlier or a preview of what he can bring to the NFL in the right environment, his playmaking ability would definitely be welcomed in the Motor City.
Tucker may not be at the top of Detroit's position rankings, but he could still be a legitimately good pick and a potential steal worth taking a chance on to add some depth on the defensive line and help improve the pass rush alongside Hutchinson.
More Detroit Lions News and Rumors:
Add us as a preferred source on Google