The Detroit Lions are in the midst of Phase II of their offseason program. That means the players have been partaking in on-field drills and workouts, but full-contact is not allowed until later.
The coaching staff has thus been able to gather first impressions on all the new rookies. The Lions drafted seven players and then brought in several undrafted free agents as well to compete for spots this summer.
Much of the focus attention will be on first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. However, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard pointed to the sixth-round pick Ahmed Hassanein as a player who has caught his eye so far.
“Absolute joy to be around. He’s never had a bad day, and he doesn’t know what ‘slow down’ means,” Sheppard said of Hassanein.
The Boise State product made history this year by being the first Egyptian selected in the NFL draft. Though a sixth-round pick, Hassanein seemingly has a path to not only making the roster, but playing a role in 2025.
The rookie racked up 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 2024 at Boise State. Overall, Hassanein played in 49 games in college and ended with 119 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 24 sacks.
Hassanein has the size to play on the interior in a pinch, but is quick enough to be a productive force off the edge. The Lions had trouble getting to the quarterback last season, especially after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury in October.
Hutchinson was the only Lion to collect more than five sacks last season, and the team didn’t add much at the position this offseason.
Currently, the Lions are slated to welcome Hutchinson back at one edge spot, which will be a massive boost for the defense. The other edge spot is far from set, though, with veteran Marcus Davenport and former second-round Josh Paschal seemingly the top contenders as of now.
Davenport was brought back on a one-year deal after missing most of the 2024 season due to injury. The veteran has been productive in the past, though, with 24 sacks over his seven-year career. Paschal is a player who has yet to live up to his draft billing, so the team is likely hoping to see some growth this summer.
Hassanein was the only edge-rusher the Lions added in the draft and the team didn’t add any undrafted free agents at the position. Therefore, it seems to be setting up for Hassanein to secure a roster spot as long as he performs up to expectations this summer.
