The first two seasons with the Detroit Lions weren’t as successful as hoped for defensive end Josh Paschal. The 2022 second-round pick from Kentucky has recorded just three sacks in 22 career games.
Injuries played an unfortunate role in Paschal’s slow start. But entering his third year, Paschal has also battled being a “tweener” at 6-foot-3 and fluctuating between 260 and 275 pounds, moving between stand-up EDGE and sub-package DT, it was hard to really pinpoint what Paschal offered as a defender.
That’s changing in Year 3 for Paschal. He now knows what role he’s meant to hold in Detroit.
“I’m a power guy. I’m a power rusher,” Paschal said this week in a post-practice media session. “I’m a strong guy and a bigger end and I play with power. I’m that rough, dirty guy.”
It’s fit Paschal well. No. 93 has had some positive moments throughout the summer, and nearly all of them have come as a result of using his power for his size to create an advantage. Paschal is at his best when attacking power-to-speed, pressing the B-gap or looping and twisting inside.
That is Paschal’s identity as a pass rusher, one he admits it took him some time to embrace.
“I feel like every player has an identity. I just had to embrace that,” Paschal continued. ” That has given me the confidence to go out here so far and play with that identity to be that physical player. Man, I’m just excited for this upcoming season to show that.”
Paschal was quick to credit new defensive line coach Terrell Williams for the needed epiphany. It’s transformed Paschal from a player who some questioned would make the roster into a more reliable, more effective and integral piece of the defensive front.
