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The Detroit Lions have been in the midst of a rebuilding phase for several seasons, striving to become a competitive force in the NFC North. Over the last few years, the Lions have made significant strides toward becoming a playoff contender, with improvements across multiple areas of their roster. One area where Detroit has focused heavily in its recent rebuild is the defense, which has been a key point of emphasis for general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

The Lions’ defensive line has been a critical area of focus in recent drafts and acquisitions, and there is an intriguing possibility that the Lions could make a bold move to further bolster their pass rush. Could Detroit pair their star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the standout rookie from Michigan, with another talented pass rusher in Azeez Ojulari, a rising star who has already shown flashes of his potential in the NFL? According to some recent rumors and reports, this pairing could come to fruition, as the Lions are reportedly considering the option of adding Ojulari in a big-money deal. In this blog post, we will explore the potential impact of such a move, analyze Ojulari’s strengths and how he complements Hutchinson, and evaluate whether this bold gamble would be worth $15,000,000 for Detroit.

### Aidan Hutchinson’s Impact in Detroit

Before diving into the potential pairing of Hutchinson and Ojulari, it’s important to establish just how valuable Hutchinson is to the Detroit Lions. The Lions selected Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the centerpiece of their defensive rebuild. As a former standout at the University of Michigan, Hutchinson was widely regarded as one of the best pass-rushing prospects in recent memory. His combination of size, strength, speed, and relentless motor made him a perfect fit for Detroit’s defense.

In his rookie season, Hutchinson made an immediate impact, racking up 9.5 sacks and showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. His presence on the edge provided the Lions with a much-needed pass rush that they had lacked in previous seasons. Hutchinson’s versatility and ability to line up on both sides of the defensive line also made him an incredibly dynamic player, capable of causing problems for offensive lines in a variety of ways.

His development is expected to continue, and Hutchinson has the potential to become one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL. His leadership and passion for the game have quickly made him one of the most exciting young players in the league, and he is seen as a cornerstone of the Lions’ defense for years to come.

### Azeez Ojulari’s Potential in Detroit

Azeez Ojulari, a linebacker/edge rusher for the New York Giants, is another young pass rusher who has begun to make waves in the NFL. Ojulari was selected by the Giants in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young edge rushers in the league. While his rookie season was solid, it was in his second year (2022) that Ojulari truly began to shine, registering 5 sacks in just 8 games and making plays all over the field.

Ojulari is known for his burst off the line of scrimmage, his refined pass-rushing technique, and his ability to pressure quarterbacks from various angles. His speed and athleticism make him a dangerous edge rusher, and he is capable of disrupting plays even when he isn’t getting to the quarterback. In addition to his pass-rushing ability, Ojulari has shown solid coverage skills as well, making him a versatile player capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.

One of Ojulari’s biggest strengths is his ability to complement other pass rushers. With his natural ability to get after the quarterback, he would be an excellent complement to a player like Hutchinson, who already commands attention from offensive lines. The duo would be capable of applying consistent pressure from both sides of the field, creating havoc for opposing quarterbacks.

### The $15,000,000 Gamble: A Bold Move for Detroit?

The rumored potential move to bring in Azeez Ojulari involves a hefty financial commitment—reportedly around $15,000,000 in guaranteed money. Given the Lions’ current cap situation and their ongoing rebuilding process, such an investment would be a bold move that would carry significant risk but also potentially high rewards.

At first glance, spending $15,000,000 on a player like Ojulari might seem steep, especially considering the financial commitments Detroit has already made to other players. However, when you break it down, it’s important to remember that pass rushers are some of the most valuable commodities in the NFL. A consistent pass rush can change the entire complexion of a game, and having two elite edge rushers in Hutchinson and Ojulari would give the Lions a dynamic defensive duo that could help transform their defense into one of the league’s most feared.

The $15,000,000 price tag could also be justified by Ojulari’s potential to elevate the Lions’ defense to the next level. If Detroit is serious about contending for the playoffs in the near future, it needs to build a defense that can shut down high-powered offenses and put pressure on quarterbacks. Pairing Hutchinson with a player like Ojulari would give the Lions one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league, which would significantly improve their chances of success.

Additionally, Ojulari’s versatility and ability to contribute both as a pass rusher and in coverage would provide the Lions with a player who can make plays all over the field. This would allow Detroit’s defense to be more flexible, adjusting to various offensive schemes while still being able to generate pressure.

### How Aidan Hutchinson and Azeez Ojulari Would Fit Together

The idea of pairing Hutchinson with Ojulari makes a lot of sense, both from a schematic and personnel perspective. Hutchinson is a physical and versatile pass rusher who can set the edge against the run while also wreaking havoc as a pass rusher. Ojulari, on the other hand, is known for his quickness, bend, and ability to get after the quarterback. His speed and agility allow him to generate pressure from both the outside and the inside, making him a dynamic force on passing downs.

The two players would complement each other well, as their styles of play could create a dangerous combination for opposing offenses. Hutchinson’s power and relentlessness would pair well with Ojulari’s speed and agility, giving Detroit two different types of pass rushers that would force offensive lines to account for both sides. The Lions’ defensive coordinator would likely have a variety of schemes at his disposal to maximize the talents of both players, utilizing them in different ways to create pressure on the quarterback.

This dynamic pairing could also improve the overall play of Detroit’s defense. With two elite edge rushers, the Lions would be able to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback, leading to more sacks, forced fumbles, and interceptions. A more consistent pass rush would also benefit the secondary, giving them more time to cover receivers and forcing quarterbacks into making mistakes.

### Conclusion: A High-Risk, High-Reward Move

The Detroit Lions are clearly in a period of transformation, with Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell working to build a competitive and well-rounded roster. Adding a player like Azeez Ojulari to pair with Aidan Hutchinson could be the next bold step in their rebuilding process, and the $15,000,000 gamble might be worth the risk if it means solidifying their defensive line for the foreseeable future.

Pairing two elite pass rushers in Hutchinson and Ojulari would give the Lions one of the most dynamic defensive fronts in the NFL. With both players capable of disrupting opposing quarterbacks from different angles, Detroit’s defense would become significantly more dangerous. The potential upside of having Hutchinson and Ojulari working together is immense, and it could be the move that propels the Lions into playoff contention sooner than expected.

While the financial commitment is substantial, the potential rewards could be even greater. If the Lions can successfully pair Hutchinson and Ojulari, they could have a defense that is capable of dominating in all phases of the game, giving them a real shot at competing in the NFC North for years to come. Whether or not Detroit pulls the trigger on this bold move remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: adding Ojulari to the fold would be a major step forward in the Lions’ defensive transformation.