Josh Paschal adds versatility to deep Lions defensive front

Josh Paschal joined the Kentucky football program as a highly regarded recruit in the class of 2017 and immediately played a role in the defensive turnaround under Mark Stoops. After five seasons, Paschal will be looking to be a part of another turnaround in the NFL.

With their first pick of the second round, the Detroit Lions selected Josh Paschal with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Friday. The All-SEC performer and Kentucky captain was taken just one round after the Lions picked Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 overall pick to play on their hybrid front for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

However, one of Paschal’s biggest selling points in the pre-draft process was that this is a scheme-versatile prospect that can play almost every position on the defensive line. Those skills will be needed for a unit that is looking to add more playmaking to take some pressure off of the coverage in the secondary.

At Kentucky, Paschal was a 3-4 defensive end that played to the wide side of the field. Typically, this position is lined up across from an offensive tackle against in multiple techniques (4, 4i, 5) whether it be head up or shifting towards one shoulder or another. In passing situations, defensive coordinator Brad White leaned into Paschal’s versatility by allowing him to play a variety of techniques (1, 2, 3) against the interior of the offensive line.

The Lions could use that interior presence on passing downs.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, this franchise selected both Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike under a different regime. Meanwhile, veteran Michael Brockers is still available to own the defensive tackle position opposite of the nose tackle. On the edge, Hutchinson is expected to step into a role to upgrade the pass rush in Detroit. To the weak side of the defense, Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara return as more stand-up edge rushers that give the defense some more athleticism.

There was a clear need for help in the pass-rushing department, and Paschal should have a great shot at emerging as an interior rusher for the Lions in nickel and dime looks. Long-term, Paschal will be best suited to be the standard 3-4 defensive end opposite of Hutchinson who will likely be moved to the hybrid DE/LB role in this attack that can operate from a two-point stance or slide down to give the defense some four-down looks. However, permanently, Paschal could make a big impact if the DMV native can bring value as an interior rusher as that is where there is money to be made.

As a rookie, we should expect Josh Paschal to settle into a complementary role. However, the versatility to play just about every position on the defensive line will get the Kentucky product on the turf early at Ford Field. Don’t be surprised if Paschal emerges as one of the top rotational pieces for Glenn’s defense in 2022.