The Detroit Lions have made several additions on both sides of the ball since the start of free agency, which has left some of the remaining members of the 2025 team in a spot where they could be fighting for their lives on the 53-man roster later this fall.
One of the players who could very well find himself as part of a numbers game once training camp opens is second-year edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein. After what was essentially a "redshirt" rookie season, due to injuries, the former Boise State standout has to not only prove himself to the coaching staff, but also do it among several new faces who were also brought in to put pressure on opposing offenses.
Ahmed Hassanein Cannot Feel Great About Detroit's FA Signings
After quickly becoming a fan-favorite in the Motor City, Hassanein is anything but a lock for the 53-man roster with the additions of veteran edge rushers DJ Wonnum and Payton Turner. This all happening before the 2026 draft, where it wouldn't be shocking in the slightest to see Detroit use one of its nine projected selections on a pass rusher, doesn't paint a pretty picture of what the future could hold for Hassanein.
While a pectoral injury left the Lions little choice but to waive Hassanein with an injury settlement in late August, the franchise brought him back into the fold in November, as he joined the practice squad. The 2025 6th-round pick will have an opportunity to prove his worth on the field this fall, but there is no way around the fact that his path to regular playing time on defense has a few new hurdles to clear before Hassanein challenges Turner or Wonnum on the depth chart.
With Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad, the latter of whom signed on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, combining for 25.5 of Detroit's 49.5 total quarterback sacks during the 2025 campaign, adding to the number of capable pass rushers on the roster was a necessity for the Lions this offseason.
With Wonnum having 30 career QB sacks to his name, and Turner having provided another five of his own, these two should help Detroit move closer to achieving its goal of not only replacing the lost production from Muhammad leaving for Tampa Bay, but also bringing in multiple pieces who can help achieve that from both edge positions.
If Hassanein can manage to put his best foot forward throughout the offseason program and into training camp, he will have the opportunity to solidify his place on this roster for the 2026 campaign. If he doesn't, or injury issues rear their ugly head again, this could be his final chance in the Motor City.