Aidan Hutchinson needs backup to transform Detroit’s frontline. By adding veteran D.J. Wonnum and explosive rookie Skyler Gill-Howard, Brad Holmes aims to build a relentless, multi-dimensional rotation.
In the modern NFL, a solitary elite pass rusher is a luxury, but a deep, relentless rotation of disruptors is a necessity. For the Detroit Lions, General Manager Brad Holmes made it abundantly clear throughout the offseason: relying on Aidan Hutchinson to single-handedly carry the team’s edge-rush burden was no longer a viable blueprint.
Despite ranking near the top of the league in overall sacks last season, Detroit struggled with consistency, placing 26th in pass-rush win rate. When opponents dialed up double-teams and quick-release game plans to neutralize Hutchinson, the lack of secondary juice on the perimeter often left the defense scrambling. Entering this campaign, Holmes orchestrated a calculated overhaul aimed at giving defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard a deeper, more explosive array of pass-rushing threats.
Free Agency Infusion: D.J. Wonnum Brings Proven Edge Juice
The primary pillar of Detroit’s edge makeover arrived via free agency with the signing of veteran defensive end D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal. Standing 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, Wonnum brings length, versatility, and a proven track record of getting after the quarterback.
Having notched 30 career sacks across stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers, including two separate eight-sack seasons, Wonnum gives Detroit an established, polished starter opposite Hutchinson.
"There was a clear emphasis this cycle, we wanted to add more juice and more ability to get after the quarterback," Holmes noted when breaking down the offseason strategy. Wonnum fits that exact archetype. His long arms and high motor allow him to win standard speed-to-power rushes while disciplined enough to set a strong edge against the run. By pairing Wonnum’s veteran savvy on the right side with Hutchinson’s relentless motor on the left, offensive lines will no longer have the luxury of sliding protection toward just one man.
Interior Disruption: The Rise of Skyler Gill-Howard
While edge depth was the marquee focus, pass rush is an eleven-man effort that requires push from the inside. Enter rookie defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard. Drafted in the sixth round out of Texas Tech, Gill-Howard arrived in Detroit as an intriguing underdog with elite explosive traits.
Though listed at 280 pounds, Gill-Howard plays with a lightning-quick first step and a violent play style that immediately caught the front office's attention during film study.
Initially projected as a designated pass-rusher (DPR) on sub-packages, Gill-Howard’s rapid development throughout training camp transformed him into one of the defense’s most compelling breakout stories.
"When you watch his tape, my first thought was he could be an impact sub-rusher," Holmes said of the rookie. "But because of his innate violence that he's wired with, he’s actually been even better in the run game than we anticipated."
Operating alongside star tackle Alim McNeill, Gill-Howard gives the Lions an interior penetrator who collapses the pocket from the inside out. When quarterbacks are forced to step up to avoid Hutchinson and Wonnum off the edge, Gill-Howard’s quick-burst penetration ensures there is nowhere safe to hide.
A Deeper, More Dangerous Front Line
With additional rotational pieces like Derrick Moore, Ahmed Hassanein, and Eric O'Neill providing fresh legs, Detroit’s front unit has transformed from a top-heavy group into a wave of sustained pressure.
Brad Holmes’ offseason vision was simple: build a front line that can finish games, dictate terms on third down, and keep Hutchinson fresh for four quarters. As the regular season gets underway, Detroit's revamped pass-rush rotation looks fully equipped to turn that vision into a reality.
