The Lions are adding some much-needed pass-rushing depth. The team has agreed to a one-year contract with defensive end D.J. Wonnum, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The deal is worth up to $6MM.
Wonnum is returning to the NFC North, where he spent the first four years of his career in Minnesota. The Vikings chose the former South Carolina standout in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. While playing 62 of a possible 67 games on his four-year rookie contract, Wonnum piled up 23 sacks. He totaled a career-high eight in 2021 and ’23.
After his Vikings tenure concluded, Wonnum joined the Panthers on a two-year, $12.5MM agreement in March 2024. He went on to start in 23 of 24 games in Carolina. While a quad injury limited Wonnum to eight games in his first season with the Panthers, he still managed four sacks.
Wonnum was much healthier last season, in which he made a career-high 15 starts in 16 games and recorded a 65.09% defensive snap share. However, his sack total fell to three, tying the lowest mark of his career. The 28-year-old posted 42 tackles (four TFL), four QB hits, three passes defensed and his first career interception. Pro Football Focus ranked Wonnum’s performance a subpar 96th among 119 edge rushers.
In dire need of edge-rushing complements to Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions are buying relatively low on Wonnum. Hutchinson led the team with 14.5 sacks last season. Al-Quadin Muhammad finished second with 11, but he relocated to Tampa Bay in free agency. The Lions have also said goodbye to Tyrus Wheat (Cowboys) and Josh Paschal (released), while Marcus Davenport remains a free agent after two injury-shortened years in Detroit.
Dude is strait booty
Somebody send the police to Holmes house for a wellness check. He lets Muhammad sign in Tampa for $6 million and turns around and replaces him with a worse player for $6 million.
How is he a worse player? He’s a 26 year old, 3-down edge with same or greater number of career sacks than Oweh, Mafe, Paye, and Jaelen Phillips who all just got new contracts paying them $16 M/ season and he’s better in run support than any of them.
You’re using career sack numbers to compare Wonnum to players who have played less years in the league?
Wonnum graded as the 96th best edge in the league in 2025. He’s not good at getting to the QB nor is he particularly good in run support. It’s difficult to even view him as a starter.
Let’s compare his 2025 numbers to Muhammad:
In 457 snaps in 2025, Muhammad generated 53 QB pressures and 12 sacks.
In 745 snaps in 2025, Wonnum generated 31 pressures and 3 sacks.
On a one-year deal, it’s pretty easy to see Muhammad is the better player.
What are we doing