Six edge rushers Lions should watch at Combine

Which rusher best fits Detroit’s defense?

With the Detroit Lions’ defensive style, a strong pass-rush is needed to best execute Aaron Glenn’s scheme.

The Lions play plenty of man-toman coverage, meaning defenders up front are tasked with pressuring the quarterback to make life easier for cornerbacks.

Aidan Hutchinson led the NFL in pressures in 2023, but the Lions struggled to get production in this area from other players. As a result, the EDGE group of prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft is worth evaluating for the team as they look to bolster their chances at a Super Bowl run.

Here are six edge rushers the Lions should keep an eye on at the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins Monday, Feb. 26.

Bralen Trice, Washington

Trice had a solid season with the Huskies in 2023, fueling their defense en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He logged 80 pressures, proving to be a menace working on the edge.

He proved to be adept at shedding blocks in the run game as well, and is athletic enough to take on a SAM linebacker role and work in coverage. With the ability to work against the run and the pass, Trice can be an impact player early in his NFL

career.

Darius Robinson, Missouri

Robinson is a name that Michiganders may be familiar with, as he played at Canton High School. Upon graduating, he headed west to Missouri where he began as a defensive tackle.

He blossomed into a star as a defensive end for the Tigers during an excellent 2023 campaign, in which they finished 12-2 with a Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State.

His frame and physicality give him versatility to play a number of roles. He can play as a down lineman on the end or stand up in pass rush situations. This adaptability is what the Lions need, as Robinson would give them a flexible option on the defensive line.

Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Latu is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire draft. He was once medically retired while at Washington, but entered the transfer portal and resumed his career at UCLA.

In two seasons with the Bruins, Latu put up dominant numbers. He has a vast array of pass-rush moves that allow him to combat a variety of styles from opposing tackles and was a tough assignment at the college level.

With 24 sacks at the college level, there’s proven ability. The major concern with Latu will be his medicals, and the Combine should provide some clarity as to where he stands in that area.

If he clears all the physicals, he could be one of the first defenders taken in the draft.

Jonah Elliss, Utah

One of the more underrated prospects at this position is Elliss, who had a strong career with the Utes. After creating modest production in his first two seasons, Elliss had a dominant 2023 in which he had 12 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.

An area where Elliss stands to improve is with his footwork. He appears to be slower moving laterally, but the Combine offers an opportunity for him to clear up those concerns in on-field agility drills.

He is a more developmental prospect, which is why many believe he will be a Day 2 selection. However, there’s a lot to like about what he’s put on tape already and he could wind up being a steal if he’s able to reach his potential.

Chop Robinson, Penn State

Another versatile prospect is Robinson, who showed a strong knack for pressuring the quarterback while at Penn State last season. He was able to handle defensive end responsibilities and caused havoc for opponents in the Big 10.

After a year at Maryland, Robinson transferred to Penn State and was a key cog in one of the league’s best defenses. He logged 26 pressures in 10 games last season while earning a 92.3 PFF pass-rush grade.

Robinson is billed as a high-level athlete, so he could fare very well at the Combine. He was a solid rusher, but will need to continue improving his discipline against the run. There’s potential for him to be a standout, but diversifying his strengths in the ground game is the next step for him as he enters the NFL.

Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian

Of all the EDGE prospects at the Combine, none may have a more unique football story than Hunt. The FCS product began his college career as a safety at Cornell before sliding down to defensive end later in his journey.

He gained plenty of good weight over his time with the Big Red and made the position change when he moved to Houston Christian. Hunt transitioned to outside linebacker, where he was asked to predominately get after the passer.

In two seasons with the Huskies, he finished with 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. His skill set is still very much a work in progress as he continues to learn the position, but his production is nothing to shy away from.

In terms of late-round developmental prospects, Hunt may be as exciting as any based on what he was able to do despite a relatively short time playing the position.