Lions defensive line ranked top 5 in NFL
The Detroit Lions have another top-five unit in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
PFF released its NFL defensive line rankings on Tuesday, putting Detroit at No. 4 in the league, the best in the NFC North.
“For a while, the Lions had Aidan Hutchinson and not much else along the defensive line. Now, they will deploy D.J. Reader and an improved Alim McNeill along with Marcus Davenport on his latest prove-it deal,” PFF said in its ranking.
The site added that Hutchinson “unquestionably” has his best supporting cast on the defensive line this year.
By himself, Hutchinson had 101 quarterback pressures last season. Now, the Lions have more guys for offenses to account for instead of just trying to take Hutchinson away.
Hutchinson rated as PFF’s eighth-best edge player in the NFL last season. Josh Paschal ranked 84th but still improved from 101st in 2022.
On the interior, McNeill rated as PFF’s seventh-best interior defensive lineman while Reader, an offseason addition, rated 11th.
PFF thinks highly of other Lions position groups as well, including rating Detroit's backfield a top-five unit.
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK