Mike Green: The Missing Piece for the Detroit Lions in 2025
A New Era for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 NFL season with high expectations, fresh off a challenging yet promising 2024 campaign. Under the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have transformed into a gritty, competitive team, embodying the spirit of Detroit. With star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson returning to full strength after a devastating leg injury in 2024, the Lions are poised to dominate the NFC North. However, to truly build an empire, they need a complementary piece to elevate their defense to elite status. Enter Mike Green, the Marshall University defensive end, who experts believe could be the magic piece for the Lions in the 2025 NFL Draft. This article explores how Green, alongside Hutchinson, can fortify the Lions’ defense under Campbell’s guidance, creating a pass-rushing duo that could terrorize quarterbacks for years to come.
The Lions’ Defensive Dilemma
The 2024 season exposed a glaring weakness in the Lions’ defense: their pass rush heavily relied on Aidan Hutchinson. Before his injury in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, Hutchinson was leading the NFL with 7.5 sacks in just five games, showcasing his dominance as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. However, his absence revealed the lack of depth at the edge rusher position. The Lions scrambled to fill the void, trading for veteran Za’Darius Smith midseason, but Smith was later released in the 2025 offseason due to financial constraints. Other edge rushers, like Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal, failed to provide consistent pressure, with Davenport playing only two games due to injuries and Paschal excelling more as a run defender than a pass rusher. This left the Lions’ defense vulnerable, ranking 27th in PFF pass-rush grade from Week 7 onward, a stark contrast to their early-season dominance. General manager Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have prioritized bolstering the defensive line, and the 2025 NFL Draft presents a golden opportunity to address this need.
Why Mike Green Is the Perfect Fit
Mike Green, a 6’4”, 250-pound defensive end from Marshall University, has emerged as a top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. After a rocky start at Virginia Tech, Green transferred to Marshall, where he flourished, racking up an impressive 21.5 sacks over two seasons. His explosive first step, relentless motor, and ability to disrupt plays make him a natural fit for Dan Campbell’s defense, which values grit and tenacity above all. Analysts, including those at ClutchPoints, have highlighted Green as an ideal complement to Hutchinson, noting that even if Green doesn’t develop into a perennial All-Pro, his effort will never be the reason for failure. With the Lions holding the No. 28 pick in the first round, Green is a realistic target, as he’s projected to be available late in the round alongside other edge rushers like Shemar Stewart and James Pearce Jr. However, Green’s fit with the Lions goes beyond stats—he embodies the “Dan Campbell-esque” qualities of toughness and determination that define the team’s culture.
Building a Pass-Rushing Empire with Hutchinson
Aidan Hutchinson, now 24, is the cornerstone of the Lions’ defense. Selected second overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson has proven himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 and leading the NFL in sacks before his 2024 injury. His recovery has been remarkable, with reports indicating he’s back to full strength for the 2025 season. However, the Lions cannot afford to rely solely on Hutchinson again. Pairing him with Mike Green would create a dynamic duo capable of overwhelming offensive lines. Green’s explosive first step complements Hutchinson’s power and technique, allowing the Lions to generate consistent pressure from both sides of the line. This balance is crucial in Aaron Glenn’s man-heavy schemes, which depend on pass rush to disrupt quarterbacks. With Green on the opposite side, Hutchinson can return to his dominant form without being double-teamed on every play, a problem that plagued the Lions in 2024 after his injury.
Dan Campbell’s Vision for the Defense
Dan Campbell, now in his fifth year as head coach, has instilled a culture of resilience and physicality in Detroit. Despite losing key coordinators like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn in the 2025 offseason, Campbell remains committed to his defensive philosophy. The promotion of Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator signals continuity in the Lions’ system, which prioritizes aggressive, pressure-heavy schemes. Campbell has been vocal about the need for multiple edge rushers, stating at the NFL Annual Meetings, “Everybody’s asking for one defensive end. No, we’d love to get three or four.” This mindset aligns with Holmes’ draft strategy, as he’s doubled up on defensive linemen in past drafts, selecting Hutchinson and Josh Paschal in 2022 and Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill in 2021. Drafting Green would be a continuation of this approach, ensuring the Lions have the depth to withstand injuries and maintain a relentless pass rush throughout the season.
The Broader Impact on the Lions’ Roster
Adding Mike Green doesn’t just bolster the pass rush—it elevates the entire defense. With Green and Hutchinson commanding attention on the edges, interior linemen like Alim McNeill, who is also returning from injury, can exploit one-on-one matchups. This domino effect strengthens the Lions’ run defense, which struggled without Hutchinson in 2024. Additionally, the secondary, featuring young talents like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., benefits from increased pressure on quarterbacks, reducing the time receivers have to get open. The Lions finished 30th against the pass in 2024, a statistic that could improve dramatically with a revitalized pass rush. Offensively, the Lions remain stacked with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, meaning the defense is the final piece to making this team a true Super Bowl contender.
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A Super Bowl Contender in the Making
The Detroit Lions are on the cusp of greatness, but their 2024 season showed that a one-man pass rush isn’t enough to win a Super Bowl. Mike Green, with his explosive playmaking and relentless effort, is the missing piece to complement Aidan Hutchinson and fulfill Dan Campbell’s vision for a dominant defense. Together, Green and Hutchinson can build an empire in Detroit, striking fear into opposing offenses and propelling the Lions to new heights. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes will be on Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell to make the right move. If they select Green, the Lions could finally claim their place among the NFL’s elite, bringing a championship to the Motor City for the first time in decades.
