We’re little over a week away from the NFL Draft, and the Detroit Lions’ top need is still the same as it was at the beginning of free agency. The team has yet to address the need for a stronger option as its second starting edge rusher. The free agency choices are essentially gone at this time, but there are still a few decent players they could sign. This features an experienced edge who spent the previous five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. In an article selecting one player each NFL team should still sign this offseason, Mark Stolte of Pro Football and Sports Network picked former Dolphins edge Emmanuel Ogbah as the guy the Lions should pursue.
As the Detroit Lions continue shaping their roster ahead of the 2025 season, veteran edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah remains one of the most intriguing free agents still on the market—and arguably one of the best fits for Detroit’s defense.
With Marcus Davenport presenting a high-risk, high-reward option due to his injury history, Ogbah offers a steadier presence. The 30-year-old has built a reputation for consistency throughout his nine-year NFL career. He’s recorded at least five sacks in six of those seasons, including a solid 2024 campaign with the Miami Dolphins. Last year, Ogbah notched six sacks and tallied 33 total pressures, showing he still has plenty of juice as a pass rusher.
But Ogbah’s impact wasn’t limited to rushing the quarterback. He was also productive against the run. According to Pro Football Focus, Ogbah ranked 28th among edge defenders in run stops, registering 26 for the year. That kind of two-way performance makes him an ideal rotational piece—or even a short-term starter—for a Detroit team looking for dependable help opposite star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Cost is another factor that makes Ogbah appealing. He played on a very affordable $3.25 million deal with Miami last season, meaning the Lions could likely bring him in without straining the budget. For a team that’s trying to balance win-now expectations with long-term planning, Ogbah fits the mold of a “bridge” player: a veteran who can hold down a spot until a younger, long-term solution is ready.
Earlier this offseason, Ogbah was identified as a potential “bridge” option for Detroit’s defensive front, and that assessment still holds true. As free agency continues to thin out, the Lions would be wise to revisit Ogbah as a smart, low-risk addition who could play meaningful snaps right away. His experience, versatility, and affordability check every box for what Detroit needs at this stage of the offseason.
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