Lions Predicted to Sign Risky Draft Bust Once Season is Over

The Detroit Lions are moving full steam ahead as one of the NFL's best teams entering the final full month of the regular season. At 11-1, Detroit will look to go perfect in December to boost its chances of capturing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which provides both a bye and home-field advantage for every round outside of the Super Bowl.

While Lions players aren't thinking past February, when they hope to be contending for the Lombardi Trophy, the front office does need to start thinking more aggressively about the upcoming offseason as things wind down. Even if Detroit is still alive in the playoff hunt, a majority of teams will be finished playing any games by Wild Card Weekend, so that means most of the league will begin its offseason preparations once mid-January rolls around.

With several impending free agents as well, the Lions need to have a strong plan of action in case they're either beaten to the punch or decide to part with a few guys. Luckily there'll be no shortage of players to plug in for any losses, but Dan Campbell and co. may want to avoid one in particular.

Bleacher Report's latest offseason prediction article has defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw as a possible offseason target for the team. B/R points to the fact Levi Onwuzurike and John Cominsky are pending free agents who could walk in 2025, so Kinlaw would be an affordable option for depth if the team finds itself with a sudden hole.

It'd be no surprise at all if GM Brad Holmes lets Onwuzurike walk considering his disappointing 3.5 sacks across three seasons played and his health issues since being drafted No. 41 overall in 2021. Cominsky's been more productive (6.5 sacks) in less time (two seasons), but missing the entire 2024 campaign puts his future up in the air.

Even if both players walk, it'd be a risk to bank on Kinlaw being a worthwhile replacement. Once the No. 14 overall selection in 2020, the South Carolina product has been a certified bust as his fourth NFL year comes to a close. He posted just 5.0 sacks on the vaunted San Francisco 49ers defense over three seasons, and has followed that up with only 2.5 in New York this campaign.

The fact Kinlaw failed to produce while surrounded by all the talent he's played with since entering the league doesn't reflect positively on him. He's also shown signs of sloppiness with the Jets this year, posting four missed tackles, which doubles the amount he posted in his first three NFL seasons combined.

A contender like the Lions has the wiggle room to take a swing on a high-risk, high-upside player like Kinlaw. But the backfire potential here may make Holmes fight the temptation this spring.

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