Julian Okwara Has Signed Rookie Deal with Detroit Lions

Brother of Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara has been officially signed by the Detroit Lions. Read more.

Julian Okwara has agreed to his rookie contract with the Detroit Lions.

While terms where not officially disclosed, Okwara's contract is worth $4.93 million over four-years, according to Spotrac.

Detroit selected the EDGE rusher out of Notre Dame in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Detroit's coaching staff believed heavily in Okwara, passing on several other notable players on the offensive line and in the secondary.

He could be utilized by the Lions as a stand-up outside linebacker in 3-4 defensive schemes.

Detroit is in need of a boost along the defensive line, and Okwara could be a player that comes in and makes an impact immediately.

Now, with Okwara and last year’s fourth-round pick Austin Bryant apparently healthy, the Lions have two young, yet unproven players that can help fill the void left by Devon Kennard.

As Logan Lamondarier of SI All Lions writes, 

"Okwara possesses an ability that none of the stack linebackers provide or the other JACK backers or even the defensive ends.

He is truly a unique talent with no other player on the roster that can do the types of things he does.

For the Lions, he is exactly what they needed to help them get after the quarterback -- an actual pass rusher."

Additional 2020 NFL Draft Coverage

Lions Draft Cornerback Jeff Okudah

Lions Draft RB D'Andre Swift at Pick No. 35 of Second-Round

Lions Move Up in NFL Draft to Sign Guard Jonah Jackson

Detroit Lions Add Guard Logan Stenberg on Day 3 of NFL Draft

Detroit's Latest Pick is WR Quintez Cephus

RB Jason Huntley is Latest Pick for Lions

Lions Select Utah DT John Penisini in Sixth Round

Jashon Cornell is Lions Seventh-Round Pick


Published
John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!