Should Lions Pursue DT Justin Madubuike in Free Agency?
The Detroit Lions could take their pursuit of a Super Bowl title to the next level by adding more talent to their defense in free agency.
Detroit's defensive line got a big jump from Alim McNeill in 2023, as the defender was playing at a Pro Bowl level before suffering a sprained knee late in the season. However, the depth was tested after he went down and the Lions struggled to find a consistent presence in the interior.
If the Lions feel the need to bolster the talent at the position, there are several solid options potentially available in free agency. When free agency officially begins on March 13, multiple top players could be targets for Detroit.
Among them is Baltimore's Justin Madubuike, who is coming off a career year for the Ravens in 2023. He totaled 13 sacks and 33 quarterback hits during the Ravens' run to the AFC Championship, where they were bested by eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
In total, Madubuike has logged 59 games with 47 starts. He's played all 17 games each of the last two years, a sign of his durability and ability to remain healthy.
Where Madubuike would certainly help the Lions is his ability to get after opposing passers. He ranked second on the Ravens in pressures with 77, which would've had the same standing on Detroit's roster behind NFL leader Aidan Hutchinson.
Though he lines up on the interior, Madubuike appears to be at his best when rushing the passer. He earned a 79.6 pass-rush grade from Pro Football focus, while posting a 66.4 mark against the run.
There's a lot to like about Madubuike's potential fit with Detroit. He could serve in Detroit's defensive end role as a three- or five-technique, while McNeill handles the nose tackle role.
The Lions currently have multiple decisions to make at this position this offseason. Veteran Tyson Alualu is a free agent after earning an important role down the stretch, while Benito Jones is a restricted free agent.
The Lions parted ways with 2022 starter Isaiah Buggs late in the season, but Alualu and Jones only had modest production along with third-year player Levi Onwuzurike.
In the case of Onwuzurike, a 2021 second-round pick, the 2024 offseason will be his first healthy one as a pro. Injuries have hindered his progress, but there have been flashes of him being a potential rotational player.
Adding Madubuike would give the Lions a plug-and-play starter that is highly proven. His ability to generate pressure from the interior would solve a problem that Detroit spent much of the season trying to account for.
The Lions ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks and had just two players, Hutchinson and McNeill, produce five or more. '
In terms of a potential contract, PFF has Madubuike tabbed for a four-year deal worth $23 million annually. This would be the heftiest commitment made by the Lions since Brad Holmes took over as general manager.
The Lions are entering a pivotal offseason, as a plethora of impact players are eligible for extensions. For this reason, a commitment like the one Madubuike is projected to get could be too much for the Lions as they focus on retaining their talented young players.
Of course, there is no guarantee that he elects to not return to Baltimore. Being that he was a key part of the Ravens' defense, he could certainly elect to return to the organization that drafted him.
Yet, there is a lot to like about the way he would fit the organization from a performance standpoint. As a result, if the Lions can make the cap space work, signing Madubuike is a move the organization would benefit greatly from.
