INDIANAPOLIS – This year's NFL Draft is loaded with pass rushers and might give Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes an opportunity to add a young player to the mix upfront on defense.
"I think it's really good and really deep," NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine of this year's edge class. "There's not a Myles Garrett in my opinion. There's not a Nick Bosa. We've had other years where we've had guys carry bigger individual grades. But we have three legit Top 10 players in this draft and we've got depth. I think you can get depth all the way into the fourth round where you'll see guys making an impact next year. So yeah, it's a really good group."
The Lions employ one of the best edge rushers in football in All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off a career-high 14.5 sacks last season. But edge mate Al-Quadin Muhammad, who chipped in 11.0 sacks of his own last season, is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Whether it's free agency or the draft, the Lions could certainly look to add a starter opposite Hutchinson and depth at the position.
David Bailey (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (Ohio State) and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) are the consensus top three edge rushers in the class and the three players Jeremiah referred to as legitimate Top 10 picks.
With the Lions currently sitting at No. 17 overall, there's a large group of players who could fit there if Holmes decides to stay put and an edge rusher ends up being the best player on his board at that spot.
That next group of players includes Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Akheem Mesidor (Miami), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) to name a few.
"I can play all across the D-line," Faulk (6-6, 285) said Wednesday of what he thinks sets him apart from the other edge rushers in the class. "That's really what I did at Auburn. I prepared myself, as well as help from the coaches, to be able to play all four positions across the line. That's really what I think separates me.
"I'm a high motor defensive lineman. You're going to see everything be aggressive as far as the pass rush and the run game. In the run game, you're going to see blocks being shed and you're going to see a lot of TFL's (tackles for loss)."
Detroit's defense finished fourth in the NFL this past season with 49 sacks but were credited by ESPN Stats and Information with having just a 32 percent pass rush win rate as a team, which ranked 26th in the NFL. Detroit ranked 32nd in average time to pressure and opponent average time to throw.
They could use some added juice for that pass rush. An impact player doesn't necessarily have to come at No. 17 because this class is so deep with edge rushers.
"I think I'm a relentless football player and very intelligent," Mesidor said. "I think that's my biggest edge."
Mesidor (6-5, 265) notched 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks helping to lead Miami to the National Championship Game.
View photos of Detroit Lions players at the NFL Scouting Combine.
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State offensive lineman Taylor Decker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs a drill during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU defensive back Jalen Mills runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
LSU offensive lineman Miles Frazier runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan offensive lineman Graham Glasgow runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah defensive back Sione Vaki runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa tight end Sam Laporta runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma State defensive lineman Tyler Lacy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (28) participates in the broad jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh defensive back Avonte Maddox participates in the Broad Jump at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Memphis defensive back Arthur Maulet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
There are rushers of every size and shape in this class, speed rushers, power rushers and players with versatility to play several roles in different schemes.
"I think my ability to dominate both the pass and the run game (sets me apart)," Parker said Wednesday. "I feel like I'm a complete player. There's nothing I can't do on the field whether that's dropping in coverage, playing the run or rushing the passer. I feel like that's great traits to have and my effort getting to the ball."
Jeremiah lists 10 pass rushers among his most recent list of the 50 top players in the class. All 10 aren't likely to be first-round picks, so there's a good chance on Day 2 that an edge rusher is the best player on the draft board and a potential good fit in Detroit.
Holmes hasn't taken an edge rusher in the first three rounds of the draft since selecting Hutchinson No. 2 overall in 2022. Because this class of rushers is so deep, this might be the year that best available and need line up and a young pass rusher is added to the mix on defense.
