When the Detroit Lions signed Nate Lynn following the 2024 NFL Draft, it's doubtful that they anticipated that he'd create a bonafide competition at the pass rush in a year where they were getting back a healthy Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport.
Yet, that's exactly what Lynn has provided, as he's fought through multiple preseason games to land as one of the more likely EDGE players to get a spot on the final 53-man roster this Tuesday. The self-proclaimed "sack artist" fittingly ended his final preseason bout for the Lions with a joint sack effort between himself and Al-Quadin Muhammad.
With some questions about what Detroit planned to do to shore up their defense in this department - such as whether they were going to re-sign Za'Darius Smith or see some major strides from players like Lynn in preseason and training camp - it was nice to see at least one piece to the puzzle being built by general manager Brad Holmes look like it was falling into place.
Lynn is making Holmes look like a genius
Lynn finished up his preseason for the Lions with 10 total tackles - three solo tackles, and one sack. He was powerful in the pass rush, often just barely missing out on opportunities to get to the quarterback in the pocket. He has been consistently graded as one of the better defenders in preseason this year, with PFF grading him at 87.2 overall after his game against the Atlanta Falcons.
.@Qua_Nito with the sack to end the half#HOUvsDET | 📺 Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/fPIJCp1EMo
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 23, 2025
Lynn was a part of the Lions' 2024 UDFA class, and looked like he was about to work his way up to the 53-man roster before a season-ending shoulder injury ended his dream of joining the team in 2024. Detroit gave him another shot this season, though, and the gamble has certainly paid off. With an injury to rookie Ahmed Hassanein ending his season with the Lions, Lynn's continued growth was even more important.
READ MORE: Update on Lions pass rusher is sure to ramp up calls for re-signing Za'Darius Smith
The Lions feel set with both Hutchinson and Davenport healthy and looking unreal in training camp, but they really needed depth at the EDGE this season after so many injuries bogged them down defensively last year. Lynn provides that.
While we don't know what the future holds for Lynn, who has yet to take a snap during a regular season game for the Lions, it feels like he came into camp and the preseason motivated to prove that his 2024 burst on to the scene wasn't a fluke.
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