One of the goals for this offseason for Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes was to add to the defensive line to help take some pressure off Aidan Hutchinson, who had a sensational 2023 campaign despite defenses keying-in on him.
It goes without saying how important Hutchinson was to the Lions' defense, but one stat further drives that point home. According to NFL analyst Brett Kollmann, Detroit's stud pass-rusher contributed 37.4% of the team's pressures last season.
For reference, elite pass-rushers are usually responsible for anywhere between 27 to 30% of their team's pressures, Kollman noted. Hutchinson finished with 101 total pressures last season, the second-most in the NFL behind Dallas Cowboys star, Micah Parsons.
Fun stat that illustrates just how dependent the Lions were on Hutchinson last year.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) July 12, 2024
A typical contribution to overall team pressures by an elite rusher is usually around 27-30% of a team's total.
Aidan Hutchinson was WAY abnormal last year at 37.4%.
He also had the second…
Hutchinson ultimately finished with 11.5 sacks in his second season, the highest mark of his career. He also earned his first Pro Bowl nod in the process.
His excellent season didn't go unnoticed, either, as Hutchinson was ranked as the No. 6 pass-rusher in the NFL ahead of 2024 in ESPN's annual rankings based on the opinions of executives, scouts and coaches around the league.
"High ceiling. He will be the next Nick Bosa," one NFL scouting director said. "Banking on him getting even better. Highly disruptive, physical, near rare motor."
To help Hutchinson out in 2024, the Lions added defensive lineman D.J. Reader and veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport in free agency. They will join a line that also includes 2023 breakout player, Alim McNeill.
While that group certainly has the potential to be elite, Reader and Davenport both have injury concerns, which is why we've suggested the Lions at least add one more edge rusher for depth ahead of training camp, and more specifically, Emmanuel Ogbah, who can play inside and out.
But if everything pans out with those two and McNeill can replicate or build on what he did last season, Hutchinson could be freed up to have a monster season.
