Former Lions LB Julian Okwara Lands With New Team

The Detroit Lions already departed with their top two draft picks from the 2020 NFL draft last year. On February 14, they officially said goodbye to one of their 2020 third-round selections — edge rusher Julian Okwara.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced on their official X (formerly Twitter) account that they signed Okwara.

The Lions released Okwara during the postseason but re-signed him to the team’s practice squad the following day. Detroit waived Okwara to create a roster spot for fellow edge rusher James Houston returning from injured reserve.

But after the NFC championship game, the Lions did not sign Okwara to a futures contract. Now a couple weeks into his free agency, he has landed with the Eagles.

The Lions selected Okwara at No. 67 overall in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. Last year, the Lions traded cornerback Jeff Okudah and running back D’Andre Swift, who were their first two choices in that draft class.

Detroit selected Okudah at No. 3 overall and then Swift at No. 35 overall in the second round.

Former Lions LB Julian Okwara Disappointed as Third-Round Pick

The writing has been on the wall for Okwara in Detroit for about a month since the team released him from the active roster. Not offering Okwara a futures contract was the last straw, which led to his official departure from the Lions with a contract from the Eagles.

Okwara experienced one decent season with the Lions. But the other three were rather disappointing.

The edge rusher missed nine games during his rookie season because of a right leg injury. He had no sacks and just 3 combined tackles in six games during his first season.

He bounced back to have his best campaign in Detroit during 2021. In 13 contests, Okwara posted 5 sacks with 27 combined tackles, including 6 tackles for loss and 9 quarterback hits.

But Okwara never built off that season. Instead, he regressed, registering just 4 sacks in his final 19 games with the Lions.

In 38 contests overall, Okwara recorded 9 sacks, 54 combined tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits. He also had 3 pass defenses, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble.

Lions Going to Upgrade Edge Rusher During 2024 Offseason?

Okwara was one of a handful of disappointing edge rushers for the Lions in 2023.

Like Okwara, veteran defensive end Charles Harris also had a great 2021 season but struggled in 2022. After Harris ended the 2022 campaign on injured reserve, the team was hopeful, just as it was with Okwara, that Harris would bounce back in 2023.

That didn’t happen. Fellow Day 2 selection from the 2021 draft, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, didn’t develop as planned either.

Together, Okwara, Harris and Onwuzurike combined for 4.5 sacks during 2023.

Okwara has already moved on to another team. Harris is set to be a free agent, and SI.com’s All Lions’ Christian Booher called Onwuzurike a cut candidate.

Even if the Lions elect to keep Onwuzurike, it would be surprising not to see Detroit upgrade their pass rushing group.

Pairing an elite edge rusher with budding star Aidan Hutchinson could give the Lions one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.

For that reason, the Lions have been connected to veterans Joey Bosa and Haason Reddick in trade rumors this offseason. The Lions have also been linked to pending free agent pass rusher Chris Jones.

A lot of early mock drafts also have the Lions targeting an edge rusher in the first round with the No. 29 overall pick.