Should the Lions sign free agent DT Justin Madubuike?
By bolstering their defense in free agency, the Detroit Lions could increase the level of their Super Bowl title chase.
In 2023, Alim McNeill gave Detroit’s defensive line a huge boost. At the end of the season, the Pro Bowl defender had a sprained knee. But after he was down, the Lions found it difficult to maintain a steady presence in the interior, so the depth was put to the test.
The Lions have a few good possibilities in free agency to consider if they feel the need to add to the talent at the position. On March 13, when free agency officially opens, Detroit may chase a number of elite players.
One of them is Justin Madubuike of the Baltimore Ravens, who just finished his best-ever season with the team in 2023. During the Ravens’ march to the AFC Championship, when they were defeated by eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City, he recorded 13 sacks and 33 quarterback hits.
Madubuike has played in 59 games overall, including 47 starts. He has participated in every one of the previous two seasons’ 17 games, demonstrating his tenacity and capacity for continued health.
The Lions would benefit greatly from Madubuike’s ability to pursue opposition passers. With 77 pressures, he was second on the Ravens behind NFL leader Aidan Hutchinson, and he would have been ranked second on the Detroit roster as well.
Madubuike lines up on the inside, but it seems like he performs best when he rushes the quarterback. Pro Football Focus gave him a 79.6 pass-rush grade and a 66.4 run-defense rating.
The potential fit between Madubuike and Detroit is quite appealing. He might play defensive end for Detroit as a three- or five-technique, with McNeill covering nose tackle duties.
This offseason, the Lions will need to make a number of decisions at this position. Benito Jones is a restricted free agent, while veteran Tyson Alualu is a free agent after securing a significant role in the latter stages of the season.
Isaiah Buggs, the Lions’ 2022 starter, was let go late in the season, but third-year players Levi Onwuzurike and Alualu only produced mediocrely.
Onwuzurike, a second-round selection in 2021, will experience his first healthy offseason as a professional in 2024. Although injuries have impeded his development, he has shown signs of being a viable rotational player.
The addition of Madubuike would provide the Lions with a very experienced plug-and-play starter. His ability to create pressure from the inside would take care of an issue Detroit struggled to contain for the most of the season.
In terms of sacks, the Lions were in the lower half of the league, and only two players—Hutchinson and McNeill—produced five or more.
PFF has Madubuike penciled in for a possible four-year contract worth $23 million a year. The Lions would be making their largest commitment since general manager Brad Holmes assumed the position.
The Lions are about to embark on a crucial summer since many of their key players are up for extensions. Because of this, the Lions may find it difficult to commit to Madubuike in the manner that is anticipated given their current emphasis on holding onto their young, gifted players.
Naturally, there’s no assurance he won’t decide to go back to Baltimore. He might choose to go back to the team that selected him because he was an important member of the Ravens’ defense.
On the other hand, there are many positive aspects of his performance fit with the company. So, signing Madubuike is a move that would substantially assist the Lions if they can make the cap space work.
