The Detroit Lions were able to even their record at 1-1 last week, but their win against the Chicago Bears was far from perfect. The Lions' pass-rush had a resurgent week with four sacks in the 52-21 blowout win, but the unit also lost some of its depth as edge rusher Marcus Davenport left the game with shoulder and ankle injuries.
With Davenport’s status uncertain, the Lions once again are having their depth at edge rusher exposed. But after failing to bolster the group during the offseason, the Lions have continued to sit on their hands as the Washington Commanders are reportedly set to sign Preston Smith.
Lions Pass on Preston Smith as EDGE Depth Remains Major Concern
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Smith has agreed to sign with the Commanders and return to the team that made him a second-round pick in 2015. Lions fans are familiar with Smith after he signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2019 and racked up 44 sacks over 5.5 seasons with the team before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last November.
Smith’s tenure with the Steelers didn’t go well, with two sacks over eight games, and there’s probably a reason why he didn’t receive an opportunity until the second week of the regular season. But looking at the Lions’ depth chart at edge rusher, there’s a valid argument that they should add someone at the position.
The Lions welcomed back Aidan Hutchinson after a quiet season debut as he logged a sack and five total pressures in the win over the Bears. Al-Quadin Muhammad stepped up for three pressures and a sack on Sunday afternoon, but Davenport’s injury leaves Detroit paper-thin with Tyrus Wheat and Pat O’Connor behind Hutchinson and Muhammad on the depth chart ahead of Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Even then, banking on Davenport to be a key edge rusher was a risky idea. The 29-year-old hasn’t played more than four games in a season since 2022. Even then, Davenport logged just 0.5 sacks before leaving the New Orleans Saints for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. His lone season in Minnesota ended after four games due to an ankle injury, and he played in just two games before suffering a groin and season-ending triceps tear after signing with the Lions.
Despite all of this, the Lions decided to bring Davenport back on a one-year, $2.5 million contract instead of making a meaningful upgrade at the position. The fact that the Lions' being one injury away from disaster hasn’t spurred general manager Brad Holmes into action feels like Detroit is happy to repeat history after watching 15 players go on injured reserve one year ago.
Of course, there aren’t many options left on the board now that the season has begun; however, a player like Smith would have been worth a flier for the Lions instead of hoping for the best with what they have.