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Lions: 3 free agents that could change 2021 NFL Draft plans

By Mark Sipos

Oct 4, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions principle owner and chairman Sheila Ford Hamp before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions principle owner and chairman Sheila Ford Hamp before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lions EDGE Romeo Okwara? Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK /

3. Romeo Okwara, Edge

Although he isn’t a familiar face to the new Detroit Lions staff, the fans in Detroit know very well who Romeo Okwara is.

The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star went undrafted back in 2016. After hanging around the New York Giants for two years and some change, Okwara finally found a home in Detroit. In 2018, Okwara burst onto the scene, finishing with seven and a half sacks and 14 quarterback hits. After signing a two year contract, Okwara started only one game due to the signing of Trey Flowers. Starting in nine games in 2020, Okwara showed that his 2018 season was not a fluke, notching 10 sacks and 18 quarterback hits.

There are a few factors play into this signing. While we don’t know what kind of defense Aaron Glenn will be running this year, we do know that he is a fan of Okwara. Here is what Glenn had to say about Okwara, via Christian Booher of SI.com:

"“Romeo had 10 sacks, so he’s a pressure player,” Glenn said. “Every team in this league, every coach in this league wants a pressure player. So, if he’ll be back — which we hope we get the chance to get him back — we’re going to have him rushing the quarterback.”"

Another factor is that his younger brother Julian, a third round pick from Notre Dame in 2020, is entering his second season with the Detroit Lions. While Julian only played in six games, there is a good chance that he has a spot locked in for the 2021 season. Playing with a brother in the NFL is extremely rare, and the Okwara’s seem to want to continue playing together.

Next. 2021 NFL Draft: The perfect prospect for every team. dark

The biggest factor into Romeo Okwara’s return to the Detroit Lions actually comes from the Detroit side of things: the franchise tag. Though that number isn’t set yet, paying Okwara for a year at a high number, while trying to negotiate a long term deal, would be beneficially for both parties involved. Locking up Okwara to pair with Trey Flowers for the next few years will be very enticing for Campbell and Holmes, and should do everything in their power to make that happen.

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