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Lions Gifted Perfect Defensive Free Agent Signing in Week 18

By Richard Louis

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a replay against San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a replay against San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Detroit Lions are 14-2 on the season. In Week 18, the Lions are hosting the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North showdown. The winner of this contest secures the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the loser drops down to No. 5.

The Lions managing to have this kind of record is a testament to the culture that Dan Campbell has built. No matter who steps on the field, they play with maximum effort. Detroit has a whopping 21 players on IR.

Guys like Alim McNeil and Aidan Hutchinson being placed on IR significantly hurt the Lions' defensive front.

With the playoffs right around the corner, having an effective pass rush is crucial. And on Tuesday, the Lions were gifted a golden opportunity to add a veteran EDGE rusher to the group.

NFL News: Yannick Ngakoue Was Released by New England Patriots on Tuesday

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots waived EDGE Yannick Ngakoue on New Year's Eve.

Ngakoue joined the Patriots in November after he was waived by the Baltimore Ravens. In his nine-year career, he's played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears.

Over these stops, he has notched 238 total tackles, 72 TFLs, 70.5 sacks, and 21 forced fumbles. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 but may no longer be that same player. Despite that, he would provide the Lions with another force that can generate pressure.

Granted the Lions have one of the best records in the league, so they are toward the tail end of the waiver wire. They'll have to hope that no one ahead of them puts in a claim like the Green Bay Packers, who are 11-5.

If the Lions have a chance to bring in Ngakoue, they should jump at that chance. They traded for Za'Darius Smith in November and he's made his presence felt. In seven games with the Lions, Smith has recorded 31 pressures, 23 hurries, and four sacks.

Adding one veteran has worked out for the Lions. Getting another one could work in their favor too.

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