Discussion: Which Detroit Lions player will finish 2nd in team sacks in 2024?

When it comes to identifying the Detroit Lions’ best pass rusher, there isn’t much of a discussion. It’s Aidan Hutchinson and it’s not even close. If you need a reminder, Hutchinson not only had 11.5 sacks last year—the most from a Lions player since Ezekiel Ansah in 2017—but his 121 pressures (via PFF, including playoffs) was 78 more than anyone else on the team (Alim McNeill was second with 43).

Obviously, the Lions are hoping someone else help carry the load in 2024, and Detroit made a couple of moves to help facilitate that goal. They added both DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport in free agency, snagged a lottery ticket in Canadian football sack leader Mathieu Betts, and drafted defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo on Day 3.

Beyond that, James Houston is healthy again after missing 15 games last year, and Detroit is optimistic about the growth of both Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

Assuming Aidan Hutchinson is first, who will finish second in team sacks for the Lions in 2024?

My answer: There is a pretty big list of candidates this year, which could be viewed as both a good and bad thing. On the one hand, there just isn’t a clear No. 2 pass rushing talent. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see Davenport, Paschal, McNeill, or Houston tally seven or eight sacks.

In 2021, Davenport posted 9.0 sacks for the Saints in just 11 games, and now that he’s healthy and in a similar defense, he’s still young enough (27) to recapture that magic.

In 2022, Houston had 8.0 sacks in just seven games. The Lions coaching staff has limited his playing time as he becomes a more well-rounded player, and he’s coming off an ankle injury, but Houston arguably has the best pass rushing skills of this group.

Josh Paschal only has 3.0 sacks in 22 career NFL games, but he’s a prime candidate to break out in 2024, and he appeared to be Detroit’s primary choice as the “starter” opposite Hutchinson in the spring.

At this point, Betts is probably still considered a longshot for the roster, but he had 18 sacks in the CFL last season and was named the league's most outstanding player, so it’s possible he can carry over some of that production.

Finally, there’s McNeill. He posted a career-high 5.0 sacks last season and is slowly emerging as one of the best interior defenders in football. With Reader almost certainly opening up more one-on-one opportunities for McNeill this season, there’s a chance McNeill puts up a monster season in a contract year.

Ultimately, I’m going to go with Houston. Though he’s not likely to see the playing time of Paschal or McNeill, he’s likely going to be on the field for most obvious passing situations, and with Detroit’s stronger defensive line, I think Houston will be very efficient when he’s on the field.

Who do you think finishes second in sacks for the Lions in 2024? Vote in the poll below, then scroll to the bottom of the page and share why in the comment section.