Kenyon’s prediction included a $51 million guarantee for Hunter.
“Hunter has notched 10-plus sacks in five of his eight seasons and tallied a career-best 16.5 in 2023,” Kenyon stated in an email. “His worth has practically never been higher. While Minnesota’s financial situation is unfortunate (self-inflicted), the NFC North opponent Detroit Lions have a significant need for pass rushers.
Hunter was named second-team All-Pro in 2018. He’s also made the Pro Bowl in four of the last five seasons, including 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, Hunter had a career-high 16.5 sacks and led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss. He also had 22 QB hits and four forced fumbles.
How Danielle Hunter Could Fit with the Lions
Hunter, who will turn 32 before the end of his three-year contract, makes a lot of sense for Detroit.
Last season, the Lions ranked top in many analytic pass rushing measures, including pressure rate, hurry percentage, and quarterback knockdown rate. They were tied for 23rd in sacks, with 41.
Aidan Hutchinson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill combined for 16.5 of the 41 sacks. No other Lions defender accumulated more than three.
Hunter would provide the Lions with a Pro Bowl-caliber edge rusher opposite Hutchinson. Hunter’s arrival should elevate Hutchinson’s game, potentially resulting in 30-35 sacks between the two rushers alone.
Hunter has recorded double-digit sacks five times throughout his eight-year NFL career. The only time he failed to reach 10 sacks in the previous five years was in 2021, when he played only seven games.
In 2023, second-year defender James Houston was anticipated to be the edge rusher to support Hutchinson. However, Houston missed the most of the 2023 season due to an ankle injury acquired in Week 2.
Houston still has the potential to play an important role in Detroit’s future. However, the Lions should not be discouraged from chasing Hunter, who is already an exceptional edge rusher.
Hunter, who recently had a career year in sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and tackles for loss, has the potential to transform Detroit’s defensive line into one of the league’s best.
Will the Lions target an edge rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Hunter is an excellent addition to the Lions on paper. The question is whether general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will see him as a good fit for the team culture.
Age could also be a consideration. Hunter will turn 30 in October and may never match his 2023 performance.
Holmes stated in his post-season press conference that the team is not seeking for short-term fixes, despite being Super Bowl candidates in 2024.
“Every move that Dan and I make is intended to sustain what we are building,” Holmes told reporters on February 5. “Every single move, and I’ll say every single move we make and every single move we do not make is to sustain what we have been building.”
So, while signing Hunter would be a big deal, it’s worth considering whether the Lions would rather pick a young edge rusher.
Early NFL mock drafts have linked the Lions to a number of edge rushers who may be available late in the first round.
On February 5, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein predicted that Detroit would choose Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson at No. 29 overall.
According to NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, the Lions are also interested in edge rusher Chop Robinson from Penn State.
Furthermore, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner predicted the Lions will take Ohio State edge rusher JT Tuimoloau, while Dan Brugler predicted the Lions would take Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
Detroit has been linked to various positions in the first round, but a player who can improve the team’s pass defence makes the most sense.
Last season, the Lions were 27th in passing yards allowed and 29th in net passing yards per attempt.
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