The Detroit Lions have arguably been the best team in the NFL this season, as Dan Campbell’s squad is 11-1 and atop the NFC North through 13 weeks. The Lions have won ten straight games after a 1-1 start and earned a scrappy 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.
One of the biggest reasons for the Lions’ success in 2024 has been the impressive play of the defense, particularly the interior defensive line. Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike have been one of the best defensive tackle duos in the league this season, as the tandem admirably anchors the middle of Detroit’s injury-riddled defensive line.
The Lions signed McNeill to a four-year contract extension worth $97 million on October 16but Onwuzurike is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. If general manager Brad Holmes fails to retain the 2021 second-round pick this offseason, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder believes New York Jets defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw could sign with Detroit.
Detroit wisely signed Alim McNeill to a contract extension, but Levi Onwuzurike and John Cominsky are impending free agents. So the team will still need to add some depth to the interior defensive line this offseason.
Kinlaw in no way changes the situation. However, he has been a solid player throughout his career. In other words, the 27-year-old could contribute off the bench and should be affordable in free agency.
Although Kinlaw is not an elite player, the 2020 No. 14 pick would be an adequate replacement for Onwuzurike if the star defensive tackle leaves Detroit this offseason. Kinlaw spent the first four seasons of his career with the San Francisco 49ers before sign with the Jets in the 2024 offseason.
The former South Carolina star saw limited playing time in San Francisco until his final year with the team in 2023, when he had 3.5 sacks and 31 quarterback pressures in six starts.
So far in 2024, Kinlaw has started every game for the Jets and has 2.5 sacks and 21 quarterback pressures. The 27-year-old has been inconsistent this season, but he is expected to have his most productive campaign to date and should be relatively cheap to acquire.
Overall, signing Kinlaw to a low-risk, high-reward deal would be a smart move on Brad Holmes’ part if Onwuzurike enters free agency.
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