Josh Paschal makes it official, signs with Detroit Lions

Over the weekend Josh Paschal put pen to paper and officially joined the Detroit Lions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it’s expected that Paschal’s four-year deal is worth north of $8.4 million, including a $3 million+ signing bonus.

Paschal was selected by the Lions in the second round of this year’s draft with the No. 46 overall pick. Wan’Dale Robinson is the only remaining Wildcats from the NFL Draft that has not yet signed a rookie contract. Fifth-round pick Darian Kinnard inked a deal with Kansas City, while third-rounder Luke Fortner signed a deal with the Jags valued at over $5.7 million, including a signing bonus worth over $1.1 million.

Although he’s now officially a Lion, Detroit fans are already worried about Paschal. They aren’t concerned about his skills, but his health. Paschal missed mandatory mini-camp while dealing with what Dan Campbell described as a lower-extremity injury, the same injury that kept him out of the Citrus Bowl.

“We’re trying to be smart with him,” Campbell said. “He’s got a lower-extremity injury that we’re just trying to be smart (with). There will be a couple guys that we back of today just to be smart. Trying to get them out of here healthy.”

Despite being sidelined for a little more than a month, Paschal recovered from the groin injury to train and compete at the NFL Combine. During the pre-Draft process the Lions fell in love with Paschal’s versatility. Detroit wants the former Wildcat to play defensive end in their 4-3, yet also cross-training as a defensive tackle to provide an interior push in obvious pass-rushing situations.

During his illustrious Kentucky career, Paschal became the first Wildcat ever elected as team captain three times. He tallied 139 career tackles, 13.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three blocked kicks and 37 tackles for loss, tied for the third-most in school history.