Lions Sign D.J. Wonnum, Boosting Defensive Line

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NFL News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. 9 days into the 2026 free agency period, the Detroit line signed Ed rusher DJ. Want him to a 1-year contract worth up to $6 million. This move bolsters their defensive line, positioning WANAM as a likely replacement for Marcus Davenport, rather than Al Quad in Muhammad. WANAM started his career as South Carolina, earning a starting spot in captaincy early on before the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the 4th round. He worked into a rotation role with the Vikings, starting 31 games over 4 seasons, then signed a 2-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. In 2024, despite a major injury setback, that injury was a quadriceps tear on Christmas Eve 2023, followed by 3 surgeries, a body rejecting stitches, a serious infection, and blood clots from treatment. Experts noted went beyond typical football woes into life-threatening territory, yet

1:01WANAM bounced back to star 15 of 16 games last. Season at 6-5 and 258 pounds, WANAM fits perfectly as a base-end opposite Aiden Hutchinson. He's versatile from different stances, strong against the run with 126 run-stops career-wise, and delivers steady pressure with. 30 sacks over 6 years, though not a sack artist. This signing gives the Lions flexibility, but they still need more pass rushers with only a few on the roster now. Free agency has veterans available, and a deep draft class means they can add talent without rushing, keeping options open for rotations across from Hutchinson. Support for this Dean and episode comes from our sponsor. Your pillow just got smarter. It plays your podcast and music, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com