The Detroit Lions addressed their pass rush in both NFL free agency and during the 2026 NFL Draft. But there are still quality edge rushers on the free agent market if the Lions want to add another veteran. Pro Football Sports Network’s Jacob Infante sees the Lions doing that with Clelin Ferrell.
On May 4, Infante ranked Ferrell as the No. 24-best player still available in NFL free agency. Infante also predicted the Lions to sign the former top 5 draft pick.
“After playing in just one game for the Chargers as a practice squad player, Clelin Ferrell carved out a niche for himself in the 49ers’ defensive rotation as they dealt with numerous injuries on that side of the ball,” wrote Infante. “He’s hardly an impact defender off the edge, but he’s a solid enough contributor who had four sacks in eight games for San Francisco.”
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ferrell at No. 4 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Last season, the defensive end posted 25 combined tackles, including four tackles for loss with the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers.
Ferrell played eight of his nine games during 2025 with San Francisco. He also had four sacks and five quarterback hits.
Should the Lions Add DE Clelin Ferrell?
The Washington Commanders released Ferrell on the NFL’s roster cutdown day last August. After that, it took nearly a month for Ferrell to find another NFL opportunity, and it came only on a practice squad.
At that point, it seemed as though Ferrell’s time as a potential solution for an NFL team was finished.
But with the 49ers, Ferrell experienced a strong second half of 2025. That should lead to him being on a roster again this fall.
Ferrell has failed to live up to his lofty draft expectations. He has never had more than 4.5 sacks in an NFL season.
Any team who targets Ferrell shouldn’t expect a sudden breakout season from Ferrell. But he could provide quality snaps along the edge in a rotational role.
Over the past three seasons, Ferrell has averaged 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits per year. He’s produced that while playing under 50% of his team’s defensive snaps.
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The Lions selected Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore at No. 44 overall in the second round. Moore could start opposite All-Pro candidate Aidan Hutchinson.
If Moore isn’t a Day 1 starter, the Lions have D.J. Wonnum and Payton Turner on their roster for 2026. The team added both in NFL free agency.
Wonnum had an 8-sack season with the Minnesota Vikings three years ago. Last season, he had three sacks and four tackles for loss with the Carolina Panthers.
Turner is similar to Ferrell — a former first-round pick who hasn’t lived up to his potential. Turner has posted five sacks in 31 NFL games during his career.
The Lions might not want to add a defensive end with a similar profile as Turner. But Ferrell might be the better option of the two.
Ferrell eventually carved out a role with an NFC contender last season. Turner spent the 2025 campaign on injured reserve with the Dallas Cowboys.
At the very least, the Lions could sign Ferrell to compete with Turner during training camp and the preseason. Both veterans, though, could offer Detroit edge rushing depth together.
The Lions also have rookie Tyre West and undrafted free agent Anthony Lucas as potential 2026 first-year contributors.
On the team’s official offseason roster, the Lions have Ahmed Hassanein listed as an edge rusher as well.
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