The Detroit Lions have been ravaged by injuries on the defensive side of the ball this season, with the team losing both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport to significant injuries.
In order to fill their void, the Lions acquired veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns ahead of the trade deadline. So far, that trade has paid dividends, with Smith tallying three sacks in four games.
Smith is under contract for 2025, so the Lions can pair him with Hutchinson next season, but he’s also 32 years old and may not stick with Detroit beyond that.
With that in mind, the Lions need to start planning for the future at the position, and Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer has them doing just that in his latest mock draft, where Detroit selects Ohio State edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau with the No. 32 overall pick.
“The Lions will keep an eye on (Jack) Sawyer, too, but this Buckeyes’ teammate keeps rising and would be a great complement for stud Michigan man Aidan Hutchinson,” Iyer wrote on the pick.
The 6-foot-4, 277-pound edge rusher has tallied 17 sacks over four years with the Buckeyes, including a career-high six sacks in 2024. Here’s more on Tuimoloau from The Draft Network’s Damian Parson.
J.T. Tuimoloau is a physical EDGE rusher who wins by overwhelming his opponents with speed-to-power conversion to drive them deep into the backfield, making the QB uncomfortable.
Strengths:
- Great size and strength
- Run defense
- Versatility
- Instincts and play recognition
Concerns:
- Pass-rush plan
- Pad level
- Hip flexibility
- Athletic traits
Assuming Smith returns in 2025, which is looking very likely right now, the Lions will have the luxury of bringing Tuimoloau along slowly. The Ohio State star can serve as a backup in his first season before hopefully taking over as a starter in 2026.
