The Detroit Lions appeared to have two breakout defensive stars from the 2022 NFL draft, with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston both racking up sacks in their rookie seasons.
Hutchinson proved his worth as the No. 2 overall pick, amassing 9.5 sacks and 52 total tackles in a turnaround season for the Lions as they broke .500 for the first time in years. Houston’s production came as more of a surprise, with the sixth-round pick not playing until Week 12 but still managing to rack up 8.0 sacks in just seven games.
Their careers took very different paths from that point, with Hutchinson continuing to develop into one of the league’s best pass rushers but Houston struggling to round out his game and ultimately being released by the Lions midway through last season.
Houston could have another chance to revive his career, landing with an NFC contender as training camps begin.
James Houston’s New Chance
Houston endured some back luck during his tenure in Detroit, suffering a season-ending broken ankle in Week 2 of the 2023 season. He returned to the field in 2024 but recorded just one sack, struggling to stay on the field outside of passing downs.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted last season that Houston never found his fit with the Detroit defense, adding that he could do well with a new team.
“It just never quite worked out,” Campbell said when the Lions waived Houston, via the Detroit Free Press. “And look, wish him the best of luck, and sometimes you just need a fresh start and this could be great for him, so wish him the best.”
Houston finished his season with the Cleveland Browns but saw little improvement.
Houston now joins a Cowboys team looking to improve their defense and harboring Super Bowl aspirations. The opportunity could begin immediately, with star edge rusher Micah Parsons sitting out while he works through a contract extension with the team.
“Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said before Tuesday’s initial practice of the summer that Parsons would be participating and video from the practice field showed Parsons in a helmet and cleats while going through the workout with his teammates,” noted Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper.
Lions Need Pass Rushing Help
The Lions have struggled to find a competent pass-rushing counterpart to Hutchinson, with the deficiency becoming glaring after Hutchinson suffered a season-ending broken leg in October. The Lions brought on veteran Za’Darius Smith at the trade deadline and he added 4.0 sacks, but no other edge rusher came close to the production of Hutchinson.
The Lions were dealt a major setback for their defensive line before training camp even opened, with Levi Onwuzurike suffering a knee injury that required season-ending surgery.
“Levi is out for the year. Levi’s surgery, it was significant, but it needed to be done. Out of his control but it needed to be done, so he will miss the season,” Campbell said, via Pro Football Talk. “It was a knee, ACL, so he got that taken care of.”
Some NFL insiders have suggested the Lions could bring back Smith, who remains a free agent.
