The Detroit Lions selected defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike at No. 41 out of Washington in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Lions have been looking to upgrade their defensive line this offseason after struggling to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks and stop the run in 2020.
Onwuzurike had a timid production in three played seasons at Washington. The 23-year-old opted out of the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic but notched 95 tackles and seven sacks from 2017-19.
Detroit's defense posted just 24 sacks and allowed 134.8 rushing yards per game last year, ranking 27th and 28th in the NFL, respectively.
Draft profile
Key stats (2019): 45 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss
It's curious that Onwuzurike's college production never matched his talent. The former Husky opted out of the 2020 season, so we never got to see a true breakout. Still, Onwuzurike possesses unique traits for a defensive line prospect, most notably his burst off the snap, closing speed, and anchor despite mostly playing out of position at Washington. A handful of teams will want him to add weight and won't love his inconsistent processing speed, but it's clear where he fits at the next level. The NFL is a passing league, and Onwuzurike has every chance to be a consistent disruptor.
