Lions: edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson rises to No. 5 in ESPN rankings
DETROIT. Aidan Hutchinson climbed to fifth overall in ESPN's annual poll of NFL coaches and executives ranking edge rushers, up from seventh last year and the highest spot he's held on the list. The Lions defensive end posted 14.5 sacks, 100 pressures and 35 quarterback hits in 2025 while working back from a serious leg injury the year before.
Coaches polled praised his hand skills, his speed-to-power technique and his motor; at least one evaluator had him second among all edge defenders in the league.
Detroit rebuilt around him for 2026, bringing back injured interior lineman Alim McNeill and adding edge rusher DJ Wonnum, Payton Turner and second-round pick Derrick Moore.
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