The Lions need to address several gaps in their roster.
The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, with only two weeks remaining for teams to finalize decisions on their roster directions.
Some playoff contenders are actively seeking to address gaps in their lineups as they gear up for a postseason push. Meanwhile, struggling teams will likely look to offload veterans to accumulate more draft picks.
The wide receiver market has already seen significant movement, with teams eager to find more dynamic options. Notable trades include Davante Adams moving from the Raiders to the Jets, followed by Amari Cooper’s trade to the Bills shortly after. Additionally, the Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins early Wednesday morning in response to injuries to Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The Detroit Lions are among the teams likely to seek assistance as the trade deadline approaches. Currently sitting at 5-1 and leading the NFC North after defeating the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions’ offense has been firing on all cylinders, with quarterback Jared Goff emerging as a strong MVP candidate. However, their defense has been inconsistent, particularly after the significant loss of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a season-ending broken leg against the Cowboys.
Despite Hutchinson’s absence, the Lions remain serious Super Bowl contenders and could look to enhance their roster before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. Here are two potential trades they might pursue to strengthen their team as the NFC playoff race intensifies.
Add pass rush help to replace Aidan Hutchinson
Several teams are quickly falling out of playoff contention and may be open to trading a star pass rusher to Detroit for the right price. One of the most prominent candidates is Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, who would significantly enhance Detroit’s pass rush.
The Raiders have already shown they are sellers by trading Davante Adams, and with quarterback Aidan O’Connell currently injured during a three-game losing streak, it’s evident that this team is not in a position to compete for the playoffs. They could fetch a substantial return for Crosby, potentially including multiple first-round picks.
Acquiring Crosby would provide the Lions with an iron man who excels in both pass and run defense and has missed only one game throughout his career. He rarely leaves the field and has recorded 33.5 sacks in 40 games since 2022. Additionally, he has led the NFL in tackles for loss for the past two seasons and is on track to do so again this year.
The Raiders might also consider a similar trade with the Cleveland Browns for Myles Garrett, although it seems unlikely the Browns would part with him this season. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has achieved double-digit sacks in each of the last six seasons and is a five-time All-Pro, meaning it would take a significant offer to convince the Browns to trade him.
If the Lions prefer a less ambitious move, they could reach out to the New York Giants about Azeez Ojulari (who has 20 sacks in 42 career games) or inquire if the New England Patriots would be willing to trade Josh Uche (who recorded 11.5 sacks in 2022). Regardless, acquiring a pass rusher is the Lions’ top priority as the trade deadline approaches, so they are likely to be proactive in their search.
Find another cornerback to lean more into aggressive style
This offseason, the Lions made significant changes to strengthen their cornerback position. They signed Carlton Davis III in free agency and selected Alabama’s Terrion Arnold in the first round, leading to noticeable improvements in their defense.
Having an additional reliable cornerback could elevate this group even further. Currently, the Lions are playing man coverage on over 40% of opponent dropbacks, one of the highest rates in the league, but their performance has been inconsistent. While Arnold has shown potential for a rookie, particularly in a challenging scheme, he has also become one of the most penalized cornerbacks in the NFL.
Many of the young corners on struggling teams who might be available for trade—like Christian Gonzalez in New England and Jaycee Horn in Carolina—are players those teams would prefer to keep. However, there is one player the Lions could pursue.
Denzel Ward, in his seventh season with the Cleveland Browns, has seen his team struggle with a 1-6 record and the loss of quarterback Deshaun Watson for the rest of the season. While Ward has had his frustrating moments, he currently leads the NFL with 12 pass breakups and has 15 career interceptions. The Browns are also utilizing man coverage frequently, similar to the Lions, making Ward a great fit for Aaron Glenn’s defense.
Acquiring Ward would likely require less of a trade package compared to some elite pass rushers potentially available, providing the Lions with a cost-effective way to enhance their defense as the trade deadline approaches while retaining their draft picks.
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