For all the Lions fans clamoring for GM Brad Holmes to add depth at edge rusher, Holmes has obliged with the selection of Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein with the 196th overall pick in the sixth round. Hassanein (6-3, 267) is the first Egyptian player to be drafted into the NFL.

He was a two-year starter for the Broncos, racking up excellent production with 101 tackles, 32.0 tackles for loss and 22.0 sacks over the last two seasons. He generated over 115 quarterback pressures over the last two years, which was third most in the FBS over that span.

Hassanein has a motor that never quits and he can set the edge in the run game. He has a ton of upside as a pass rusher with still a lot to learn. He only started playing football in 2019.

He gives the Lions more depth along the edge in a group that currently includes Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Al-Quadin Muhammad and others.

Hassanein was voted a team captain in 2024 and is the only FBS defensive lineman to have more than 15 tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons.