The Detroit Lions just added edge rusher D.J. Wonnum on a 1-year contract. But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell strongly argued Wednesday the Lions aren’t done with the position. In fact, he floated the team as a landing spot for former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.
At first, Barnwell mentioned fellow veteran Joey Bosa as a possibility for Detroit. Barnwell, though, then said Bosa is probably best suited for a rotational role.
That led the ESPN analyst to Clowney.
“It’s realistic to imagine the Lions building a rotation with someone such as Bosa or Jadeveon Clowney, who had 8.5 sacks in 13 games with the Cowboys in 2025, alongside D.J. Wonnum (who signed a one-year deal worth $6 million to join Detroit on Tuesday),” Barnwell wrote. “That combination might not thrill Lions fans, but Detroit has to add at least two edge rushers in the months to come.”
Clowney started six of 13 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season. He posted 8.5 sacks with 12 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits.
According to Spotrac, Clowney has earned $100.5 million in his NFL career.
What Jadeveon Clowney Could Bring to Lions Defense
Clowney has traveled around the league a lot more than the average former No. 1 overall pick. He hasn’t played for the same team in back-to-back seasons since the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and 2022.
Yet, Clowney still remains very productive. He’s averaged more than 7.5 sacks per season over the past three campaigns.
In Detroit last season, Aidan Hutchinson led the team with 14.5 sacks. Fellow defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad registered 11 sacks, but Muhammad departed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL free agency.
Besides those two defenders, the Lions didn’t have another defender with more than five sacks.
Clowney could help replace Muhammad during 2026 while the Lions develop a long-term solution through the draft. Many pundits expect Detroit to target an edge rusher early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lions Beginning to Make Defensive Additions
In the first few days of NFL free agency, and even before it started, the Lions addressed their offense. They acquired offensive lineman Juice Scruggs in a trade involving veteran running back David Montgomery.
Then in free agency, the Lions signed center Cade Mays, right tackle Larry Borom, running back Isiah Pacheco and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
This week, the Lions have turned their attention to defense.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Lions added Wonnum on a 1-year, $6 million deal.
Then on Wednesday, the Lions announced signing linebacker Damone Clark.
Like Clowney would be, Wonnum is a candidate to replace Muhammad. Wonnum registered two 8-sack seasons with the Minnesota Vikings during 2021 and 2023.
Last season, Wonnum had three sacks with four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits with the Carolina Panthers.
Clark started every game for the Cowboys in 2023. But he experienced a terrible 2025 campaign.
The Cowboys released Clark in November. The linebacker finished the season with the Houston Texans.
Both have the potential to be significant parts of Detroit’s defense in 2026. But their additions hardly signal the Lions are done in free agency.
Barnwell took into account the addition of Wonnum when he made his argument the team should add Clowney.
The Lions didn’t have much edge rushing depth to begin this offseason. Just the addition of Wonnum won’t fix it.
Lions Called on to Pursue $100 Million Edge Rusher Even After D.J. Wonnum Signing