The Detroit Lions are living up to expectations in 2024, as Dan Campbell’s team is 7-1 and atop the NFC North after eight games.
Detroit picked up a crucial 24-14 road victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 and will travel to NRG Stadium to face the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.
Despite losing starters Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport for the season, the Lions defense continues to show steady growth (and now gets a reinforcement in Za’Darius Smith). Green Bay’s offense looked choppy for most of Sunday’s game, as Aaron Glenn’s unit held the potent offense to just 14 points and 3-of-12 on third downs.
One of the biggest defenders is defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike. The 26-year-old has suffered from injuries and a lack of playing time in his first three seasons, but is having a breakout year in 2024 as he prepares to hit unrestricted free agency when the next offseason.
The Lions should make signing Onwuzurike a top priority this offseason, but Bleacher Report Scouting Department believes the San Francisco 49ers could lure the young defender out of Detroit.
“The 49ers have taken some hits at defensive tackle this season, as Javon Hargrave is on injured reserve and Kevin Givens recently appeared on the injury report. So it would be wise for San Francisco to invest a little cap space at defensive tackle (in 2025), although this is a deeper piece. Onwuzurike can at least provide some help coming off the bench, which is essentially the role he plays this season in Detroit.
Onwuzurike, who has moved into a starting role in recent weeks, would be a great fit in San Francisco and would immediately step in as a starter on the team’s weak defensive line. The former Washington star recorded 1.5 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures this season and also totaled ten defensive stops.
The 49ers will have over $36 million in cap space this offseason, which ranks them 19th in the NFL. by Spotrac. Although Onwuzurike will have a competitive market, general manager John Lynch still has some resources to present an attractive offer to the rising star.
Overall, the Lions need to do everything they can to retain Onwuzurike, but San Francisco would be an intriguing landing spot for the 2021 second-round pick.
