ESPN: Former Lions’ second-round pick identified as possible trade or cut candidate.
Tyleik Williams, a defensive lineman from Ohio State, was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 28th overall pick in the first round, strengthening their defensive line. The Lions may have placed veteran Levi Onwuzurike, a previous high draft pick, on notice with the selection.
On May 2, Sterling Xie of the Pro Football Sports Network made the case. Onwuzurike was selected by Xie as the Lions’ cut or trade candidate.
Levi Onwuzurike also matches the huge edge concept, although he could lose in a game of numbers. Although he tied for the team lead with 45 pressures last season, the former second-round pick hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations many had of him when he joined the NFL. Onwuzurike re-signed on a one-year, $4 million contract, but it wasn’t enough to get a multi-year deal in free agency, according to Xie.
“Considering that he was reliable in a rotational role in 2024 and has a history as a high draft pick, that is reasonable enough to make him a trade candidate.”
Onwuzurike was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 41st overall pick. Only this past season did he start, and statistically, he has not performed well.
But in 2024, Onwuzurike established himself as a reliable defensive line rotational player. Last season, the 27-year-old recorded 13 quarterback hits and 28 total tackles.
Reasons for Lions to Trade or Release DT Onwuzurike Levi
As much defensive line talent as possible has been amassed by the Lions, who appear to have adopted the Philadelphia Eagles’ strategy.
However, it means the team may have to make tough personnel choices this summer.
“The Detroit Lions now have plenty of beef on the interior of the defensive line, even though edge rusher might loom as a bigger need,” Xie wrote. Tyleik Williams, a first-round defensive end, presents himself as a plug-and-play option right away.
In addition to being dependable experienced run-stuffers, Josh Paschal and Brodric Martin are large edge rushers who can kick inside on passing downs.
Only the Lions’ healthy interior defensive linemen are listed there. Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Agude, and Ahmed Hassanein, a 2025 third-round selection, are the Lions’ defensive end options.
Onwuzurike returned to Detroit this offseason on a one-year, $4 million contract, as Xie stated. Because of that, he may be a seasoned and reasonably priced alternative for another club to acquire before the NFL roster cutdown date.
On paper, it makes sense to label Onwuzurike a possible trade or cut candidate; as Xie stated, it could be a simple numbers game with the Detroit roster. However, there is also a reason the Lions re-signed Onwuzurike. If the Lions release Onwuzurike, they will accept a $3.5 million dead cap hit.
