Pride of Detroit
Lions defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad made the most of his time on the field in 2024, and should have a shot at the 2025 roster.
Our 2025 Detroit Lions free agent series continues. We’re breaking down each and every single decision the team must make with their pending free agent class ahead of this offseason including what their expectations were coming into the 2024 season, how they performed, and ultimately their chances of returning to Detroit for this next season.
Next up in the series we have edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad.
Here’s a look at our previously written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, G Kevin Zeitler, OT Dan Skipper, DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Carlton Davis, CB Emmanuel Moseley, and K Michael Badgley.
Originally a sixth-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft, Muhammad has also made stops with the Indianapolis Colts, and the Chicago Bears during his NFL career.
Muhammad was a mid-season addition, so there were not expectations from the Lions.
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position
10 games (2 starts): 293 defensive snaps. 26 QB pressures, 21 QB hurries, 3 sacks, 7 total tackles
PFF defense grade: 60.7 (did not meet minimum snap criteria for rankings)
PFF run defense grade: 54.7
PFF tackling grade: 55.3
PFF pass rush grade: 59.8
After injuries began ravaging the Lions’ defensive front, general manager Brad Holmes and the rest of the pro personnel department got to work. Among the plethora of moves they made during the course of the season was the addition of Muhammad to the team’s practice squad.
In his first game with the Lions, Muhammad saw 49 defensive snaps, and, per PFF, amassed six quarterback hurries during a blowout win over the Tennessee Titans. From that moment until the end of the season, Muhammad would remain a key cog in the Lions’ defensive line rotation, averaging just over 29 snaps per game during the 10-game stretch with Detroit.
While he was on the field, Muhammad spent the majority of his time at edge rusher, working against teams’ opposing offensive tackles. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Muhammad isn’t the most physically imposing defensive end in the league, but he plays with plenty of power and violence off the edge. He can set the edge as a run-defender, and his motor as a pass rusher was something that popped up on tape quite a bit.
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
It’s pretty simple—familiarity and cost. The Lions would know what they are getting in, and considering Muhammad was someone added off the practice squad in the middle of the year, he was really productive given the attrition that took place all over the defensive side of the ball.
Adding him to a fully healthy defensive line room where he would be...
