Biggest NFL x-factors for all 32 teams

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 10: Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates in the second half against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 19-17. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Jarran Reed #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the first half of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions: DE Aidan Hutchinson

Back in 2019, then Lions’ general manager Bob Quinn Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia Trisha opted to bring in former New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers. They signed him to a massive five-year $90 million deal. But he never lived up to billing – limited to seven games in each of his final two seasons with the club. He missed 20 games in three seasons with the club and managed only 10.5 sacks.

Flowers was released this offseason and has yet to find a new home. Hence it made a lot of sense when current GM Brad Holmes used the second overall pick in April on University of Michigan defensive force Aidan Hutchinson. He figures to not only jump-start the pass rush but could be a game-changer in many ways.

Green Bay Packers: DT Jarran Reed

There’s a lot of blame to go around for the Packers’ recent playoff failures. But the bottom line is that this franchise has not fielded a reliable defense in quite some time. The club continues to have its issues when it comes to getting pushed around by the NFL’s better offensive lines and remains spotty against the run.

Perhaps the addition of another veteran big body up front will solver the issue. Jarran Reed has been a solid performer for both the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. General manager Brian Gutekunst also drafted linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt – both from the University of Georgia – in the first round in April. But Reed bears watching.

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