Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit Lions are officially in the offseason, and it goes without saying that the edge rusher could use an apt on-field partner for the 2026-27 NFL season. Hutchinson came back from a season-ending injury in 2025, but there’s always been talk about about getting him some help on the field in the form of another strong edge rusher.
“This team is as strong as ever,” Hutchinson told Heavy Sports last fall in an interview of the state of the Detroit Lions. “We’ve really stayed focused on the task at hand and been able to push through for some really great plays and wins. I’m excited to see where the rest of the season takes us. Everyone is feeling good but we know each week is a new week, and we’re getting ready for our next game.”
Now, the Detroit Lions appear to be interested in a rising edge rusher who hails from Michigan, expect this time, it’s from Michigan State University.
Detroit Lions Need to Nail Down a Solid Edge Rusher for the 2026-27 Season
The Detroit Lions have been a presence the 2026 NFL Combine, and one of the names to emerge from their meetings and interviews is former Michigan State University and current Missouri defensive end Zion Young.
According to a Wednesday, February 25, report from John Maakaron of SI, Detroit had a formal meeting and interview with Young in Indianapolis.
This is news for Hutchinson now just because the Lions could be looking at another Edge from the Mitten but also because it signals that the Detroit Lions could be looking to bring on an edge rusher early in the 2026 NFL draft. Can you hear Hutchinson breathing a sigh of relief now?
The Lions have been searching for a good pass-rushing compliment for Hutchinson for a handful of seasons, but they appear more serious about it this time around. During the 2025-26 season, they had an edge rusher who went above expectations in Al-Quadin Muhammad, who finished the season with 11 sacks, according to NFL research, but he may cut ties with the team in the offseason.
Outside of Hutchinson, the Lions don’t have much depth in the edge rusher position. So, it’s becoming clear that they could use their early draft picks for a defensive end.
NFL Analyst and Expert Projects Rising Edge Rusher to Come to the Detroit Lions
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper already highlighted Young as a key pick for the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL draft. In a Tuesday, February 24, feature, he projected the Lions to pick him at No. 17 in the first round.
“We’ve been begging the Lions to add a long-term threat off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson for a while now,” he says in the feature. “Al-Quadin Muhammad had a surprise breakout last season with 11 sacks, but he’s a free agent. Tyrus Wheat was next best in sacks among pure edge rushers… with 1.5.”
He adds, “So, although the interior offensive line might warrant a look (Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane?), Detroit has to address the lack of depth on the edge. Young has strong hands and good quickness, and he had 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures last season.”
