Lions has target 4-time Pro Bowler after sudden….
The Lions have made it clear that they want to increase their pass rush, and one source believes they could do just that by adding Justin Houston, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who was recently released by the Carolina Panthers at his request. Houston cleared waivers to become a free agent.
Houston, 34, has only one half-sack and nine tackles this season, but he did have 10.5 sacks in 17 regular season and one playoff game for the Baltimore Ravens last season.
“Houston isn’t the game-wrecker he used to be,” USA Today’s For the Win’s Cory Woodroof wrote, “but he can provide a veteran presence to any team’s pass rush.
Woodroof named the Lions as a potential landing spot, saying they could use help in what could be a long run to the Super Bowl.
The Lions Could Add ‘Extra Pass Rush Juice’
The Lions, who are on the brink of winning their first divisional championship in 30 years, have the makings of a championship contender. Adding Houston could give their sometimes-shaky defense a boost against the potent offenses they’ll likely face in the playoff.
“After dominating the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Lions certainly appear to be the team that could provide the 49ers with their toughest challenge in the NFC,” Woodroof wrote.
The Lions could use some pass rush help, and Houston could be a great option. This could be a fun addition for a young team that will be playing meaningful games in January.
In November, the Lions signed veteran pass-rusher Bruce Irvin to a one-year contract. So far, Irvin has one sack in one game.
The Lions’ pass rush has been inconsistent at times this season. Second-year pass-rusher Aiden Hutchinson has continued to show his star potential, but the rest of the defense has had some issues setting the edge and getting pressure on the quarterback.
For example, in the Lions’ 29-22 Thanksgiving night loss to Green Bay, quarterback Jordan Love was 22-of-32 for 238 yards with three touchdowns and one rush for 37 yards. The Lions did not sack Love and had only four quarterback hits.
Campbell praised Love after the game, but also said his defense needs to improve at winning one-on-one situations. “We’ll do some one-on-ones again tomorrow, and we’ll get back to doing what we do best and work on it,” Campbell said. “But in the end, this guy is the best I’ve seen Jordan Love look all 60 minutes of the game. He’s played some great football, but he’s been off-platform. He’s been putting the ball right where it needs to be, and we just haven’t closed and finished, and we haven’t been able to put enough pressure on him.
