The Detroit Lions' front office was criticized all offseason for their lack of urgency in addressing their pass rush rotation. The fanbase spent all of spring and summer waiting for a blockbuster trade or a free agency signing that never came. When the team didn't even re-sign Za'Darius Smith, especially after rookie Ahmed Hassanein went down for the season, many expected this to be the team's downfall in the 2025 season.
So far, however, the pass rush rotation has more than held its own. One of the biggest reasons why is the unexpected standout play of Al-Quadin Muhammad. Through the first four weeks of the season, the 30-year-old defender is looking like one of the best backups in the entire NFL.
Al-Quadin Muhammad Is 1 of the Most Underrated Pass Rushers in NFL
When Muhammad was signed to the practice squad less than one year ago amid Detroit's long list of defensive line injuries, nobody expected that the former Saints draft pick would become such a huge part of Detroit's defense. In limited opportunities last season, Muhammad registered three sacks, five QB hits, and four tackles for loss in nine games, even earning himself two starts in the process. This landed him a contract with the Lions after the season.
Somehow, Muhammad has been even better this season. To start the season, Muhammad was buried further on the bench, only playing seven defensive snaps in Week 1. He eventually increased his snap count, and even though he's still not starting after Marcus Davenport's injury, Muhammad has arguably been the second-best defender on the team after Aidan Hutchinson.
Pro Football Focus grades support this claim. In the 94 defensive snaps Muhammad has played, his 88.3 overall grade ranks second on the team, only trailing Hutchinson. Despite only playing 39% of the Lions' snaps on the defensive end, the veteran defender has 3.5 sacks, five QB hits, and three tackles for loss.
Pride of Detroit's Al Karsten pointed out on X how rare a feat this is. Per Karsten, in 16 of the last 25 Lions seasons, no player recorded double-digit sacks. Muhammad is now on pace for 15 sacks.
This is obviously not to say that Muhammad will get over ten sacks this season. Chances are, he won't. At the same time, the fact that we are having this conversation about a backup who was seen as a depth piece before the season is truly remarkable.
Muhammad may not sustain this hot start, but the Lions have certainly found a diamond in the rough. This once again highlights Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell's ability to consistently find value on the margins. Now, it seems like they have found one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league.