For years, the Detroit Lions have trusted Aidan Hutchinson to be their primary headhunter. So far, that has worked like a charm for the most part, but the lack of a true No. 2 -- or even a reliable backup -- has come back to haunt this team.
That should be one of the primary issues to address in the 2026 draft. However, with the first wave of free agency in the rearview mirror and the best options having come off the table, Detroit could also roll the dice on a veteran for help.
Von Miller still wants to play for a little longer. And even if he's not at the peak of his powers, this version of him is still far more productive than the average pass rusher. That's why the Lions should at least consider making a run at him.
Von Miller Could be an Intriguing Pickup for the Detroit Lions
Miller will be 37 years old next season, but neither the tape nor the stat sheet reflects that. He's coming off a season in which he played in all 17 games for the Washington Commanders, starting three of those contests. Despite playing just 420 snaps, he still had 9.0 sacks, his highest single-season total since 2021.
The former Super Bowl champion also had 26 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and 15 QB hits. Even a down year for 36-year-old Von Miller is better than what the Lions got from most of their players not named Hutchinson.
Spotrac projects the market value on Miller's next contract to be one year and just $5.8 million, which is more than reasonable for a player of his caliber, even at this point in his career. According to Over The Cap, the Lions are sitting on $21.1 million in available cap space, so this is the low-cost/high-impact move they should be searching for.
Despite his secondary role off the bench, Pro Football Focus still gave him a 67.2 run-defense grade, which ranked 36th among 115 eligible edge rushers. He had 17 run stops, 36 total pressures, 22 hurries, and 14 solo tackles.
Miller admittedly won't play for much longer, but the Lions could do a whole lot worse. Getting a prime headhunter with extensive playoff experience and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer to mentor Hutchinson and whoever they get in the NFL draft is a bargain. And, with D.J. Wonnum, Tyler Lacy, and Ahmed Hassanein as the only alternatives on the roster, it's not like they can't afford to take this risk.