Lions $8 million rising star named potential free agent target for Packers

The Detroit Lions have a plethora of impactful players set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, including defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike. The 26-year-old started ten games and played nearly 700 defensive snaps for Detroit in 2024 and will be one of the top interior defensive linemen on the market. Though the Lions should look to retain Onwuzurike this offseason, the young defensive tackle will have a competitive market in free agency.

Acme Packing Company's Justis Mosqueda believes the Green Bay Packers could be one of the potential landing spots for Onwuzurike. Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst stated several times that the team is hoping to be aggressive in the offseason, but that they do not have plans on bringing in over-the-hill players to a roster that already returns 46 players from their 2024 53-man roster and injured reserve. Levi Onwuzurike is an every-down player, but earlier this year, the Lions extended Alim McNeill, a fellow 2021 draft pick, at the same position.

Onwuzurike only had 1.5 sacks in 2024 but also tallied 45 quarterback pressures and posted a 12.5% pass rush win rate , which ranked within the top-15 at his position.

The 2021 second-round pick battled injuries during the first three years of his career but has turned into a promising player for Detroit and still has his most productive seasons ahead. If the Lions don't retain Onwuzurike, Green Bay would be an intriguing landing spot for the rising star. The Packers defensive tackle room underwhelmed in 2024, as Kenny Clark didn't live up to the $60 million contract extension he signed last offseason, and Devonte Wyatt isn't a high-level starter.

Onwuzurike would step in as a potential starter for Green Bay and has the versatility to play anywhere on the interior of the defensive line and apply significant pressure on opposing signal-callers. Pro Football Focus projects Onwuzurike will land a two-year deal worth $16.5 million with $10 million guaranteed.

That averages out to $8.25 million per season. Overall, Detroit should look to re-sign Onwuzurike, as DJ Reader's future is uncertain, and Alim McNeill will likely miss some time to begin the season next year after suffering a torn ACL in December .

But if the former Day 2 pick departs the Motor City this offseason, the Packers could be one of the teams vying for Onwuzurike's services. MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS Lions $6 million key starter predicted to leave Detroit for Vikings Lions' Terrion Arnold shares video of himself taking spill down flight of stairs Lions $23 million veteran starter dubbed cut candidate for 2025 offseason.