General manager Brad Holmes added veteran reinforcement to Detroit's defensive line with the signing of edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
Wonnum, 28, was a fourth-round pick by the Vikings in 2020 out of South Carolina and had two separate 8.0-sack seasons in his first four seasons with the Vikings before signing with Carolina in 2024 and spending the last two seasons with the Panthers.
He fits the size and athletic profile of what the Lions are looking for in a base end to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson with 54 starts across 86 career games and an average of 47 snaps per game. He has 126 run stops (run plays resulting in an offensive failure) and 193 quarterback pressures.
View photos of newly-signed Detroit Lions edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up on defense against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) defends during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) sets up for a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 44-38. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) on defense during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) lines up on defense during an NFL Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 30-27. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Wonnum is looking forward to playing opposite Hutchinson, who is coming off a career-high 14.5 sacks last season and has reached superstar status in this league.
"I'm excited. I watch a lot of his tape," Wonnum said Thursday of Hutchinson. "That guy is relentless, man. He does everything. He gets after the passer, he makes plays in the run in the backfield.
"I feel like my game is kind of similar because I'm able to rush, very physical on the edge, not many people running that way, and I'm also able to drop in coverage and make plays. I make plays all over the field. I feel like we'll be able to complement each other."
Wonnum had 31 quarterback pressures with 3.0 sacks last season for the Panthers.
At 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, Wonnum has the length the Lions like on the edge, and he's played more than 50 percent of his team's defensive snaps in each of his six NFL seasons with 30.0 career sacks.
"They told me they'll be able to use my versatility within the defense," Wonnum said of his role in defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's scheme. "I'm excited about that. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win.
"I feel like I can do it all. I make plays in every phase of the game. I set the edge hard. I've gotten to the quarterback. I've dropped in coverage and gotten interceptions and things like that. I feel like I can bring a lot to the defense."
Go behind the scenes with the Detroit Lions during 2026 free agency.
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) signs a free agent contract at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) signs a free agent contract at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien signs his contract during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien signs his contract during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) with his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch and his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 19, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 19, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 19, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Wonnum has dealt with injury the last couple years and said this is the first offseason in awhile where he's been afforded the ability to just train and not rehab. He said it's made him stronger and faster, and he can't wait for the season that's in store for him in Detroit.
The Lions might not be done adding veteran help along the edge of their defensive front in free agency and could also look to add a pass rusher in next month's NFL Draft with this year's edge group being one of the deepest in recent draft history.
Wonnum's addition gives the Lions a proven, veteran player with the flexibility to play several roles in Sheppard's defense.
