NFL offseason preview: 5 questions Detroit Lions must answer

3. Will they draft a pass rusher with the second overall pick?

The back end is worse than the front of the Detroit Lions. However, you have to think that if they draft a pass rusher with the second overall pick and he hits, the line could take a big step in 2022.

To start, they are going to move on from Trey Flowers, who has cap savings of over $11M. He was injured last year and was mainly here because of Matt Patrica.

On the interior, the team will bring back Michael Brockers, Alim McNeil, and Levi Ozurikie. The former two are young and entering year two, and if they can bring back Nick Williams, their interior could be fine.

On the edge, they are losing Flowers but will keep Romeo Okwara, who missed. most of 2021. His brother Julian will be back as well but should be third-down pass-rushing depth and not looked at as a starter.

Charles Harris had a breakout year out of nowhere, and the Lions should work to retain him. He is a former first-round pick, so there is thought this year was not an aberration.

Still, between both Okwara’s, and Harris, they still would like a fourth rusher. If that is the number two overall pick it would put this group over the edge and make them fierce. Okwara would get less pressure, and Harris could be used rotationally. Whether they spend a high pick or add a veteran, they appear to be one good edge rusher away upfront.