The original draft analyst is back in action with his first mock draft of the season. The great Mel Kiper of ESPN is on the board after his first set of first-round projections dropped Wednesday. He gives the Lions much-needed pass-rush help with the 28th pick of the first round.

With the 28th pick, the Lions select James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee.

“Even with Aidan Hutchinson (leg) back in the picture next season, Detroit can’t let this Super Bowl window slip away because the pass rush doesn’t have enough juice,” wrote Kiper. “The Lions’ 37 sacks tied for 23rd in the NFL this season. They were also 25th in pass rush win rate at 35.4%. Injuries wore down the defense, but there weren’t enough playmakers there to begin with, even after the midseason trade for Za’Darius Smith.

“Pearce still needs to build out his 6-foot-5 frame, but his speed could make a difference in Detroit. He mixes up pass-rush moves and gets home to the QB, with 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons.”

Hutchinson, in only five games, recorded 7.5 sacks last season. He was the only Lion to have at least five sacks. Za’Darius Smith had four sacks in eight games, but his presence wasn’t always there. The Lions need more help getting to the quarterback, especially in a division with Jordan Love, whoever the Vikings run at quarterback with Kevin O’Connell as head coach and Caleb Williams, who now has Ben Johnson as his head coach.

Pearce and his 19 career college sacks, including 17.5 over the last two seasons, would be a welcomed addition to the Lions’ defense and whoever will be calling the shots on defense in 2025, with Aaron Glenn likely headed to the Jets.