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Potential Trade Targets for the Detroit Lions As NFL Trade Deadline Approaches
The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching.
October 29 is the last day teams are able to make trades, and the Lions are in an interesting position as the deadline approaches.
It is yet to be determined if the Lions will be buyers, but it's highly unlikely they will be sellers.
There is no reason Detroit general manager Bob Quinn should be willing to give up valuable players this year in order to get better in the future.
The NFC North is a tight race, and the Lions need to be all-in this year.
In saying this, the Lions don't exactly have any major holes that are plaguing them -- the sign of a solid roster.
Maybe an unfortunate injury in the next two weeks could change that notion.
Usually, the best trades are for players that will fill an immediate need. Some would say that pass rush is the biggest need.
However, given the money that the Lions are paying defensive end Trey Flowers and fellow DE Romeo Okwara, it would be difficult to imagine the Lions adding another high-priced player at the position.
Pass rusher Devon Kennard is a solid option as well.
Even if the Lions wanted to upgrade their "JACK" position, let's not forget they spent a fourth-round pick on Clemson DE Austin Bryant this past April. Bryant is currently on the injured reserve, and should be available to return sometime after Week 8.
Overall, the Lions have a lot of money invested along the defensive line. So, maybe the return of DE Da'Shawn Hand will be the boost they need on the defensive front.
The biggest name on the NFL trade block currently is Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey, 24, is an All-Pro who is very unhappy in his current situation in Jacksonville.
The rumor is that the Jags have already turned down two first-round picks for him. If that is, in fact, the case, that's a lot of draft capital to give up for a player that will eventually net the largest contract for a defensive back in NFL history.
Make no mistake, pairing Ramsey with Darius Slay would hands-down be the best duo in the league. The thought of Ramsey in the Lions' secondary is mouthwatering.
However, considering that Lions corner Rashaan Melvin is playing like one of the best No. 2 CBs in the league and fellow Detroit CB Justin Coleman is arguably playing like the best slot corner in the league, how much of a difference would Ramsey make?
Enough of a difference to make the Lions an elite Super Bowl-contending defense? And enough of a difference that they wouldn't care about losing two cheap first-round picks and a valuable free agent due to Ramsey's exorbitant salary?
Everyone will have an opinion, but I lean slightly towards the side of the Lions staying put in the Ramsey sweepstakes.
Now to the offensive side of the ball.
The Lions have turned a corner on the interior of the offensive line.
Perhaps they could upgrade the tackle position, but since his rough start, left tackle Taylor Decker has looked good, and right tackle Rick Wagner is still being paid to be a starter.
Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams has been a hot name floating around. However, the Redskins are currently adamant about not trading him. So, Williams to Detroit seems unlikely at this point.
As far as skill positions go, the Lions' top-three receivers are set. After that, though, their depth is lacking. An upgrade could potentially be made there.
The biggest hole, in my mind, is at running back.
Kerryon Johnson has been a solid starter, but if his injury history comes back to bite him again, the Lions will be in a very difficult spot.
Ty Johnson is a promising rookie, and J.D. McKissic is more of a Theo Riddick-like gadget player. So, the Lions could afford to add some insurance at the position.
Let's take a look at a few trade candidates the Lions could consider:
Miami Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake
The Dolphins are the worst team in the league by a wide margin.
It seems as if they are actively tanking. Quinn and Lions head man Matt Patricia have obvious ties with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores -- he's a member of the Bill Belichick coaching tree.
In a contract year, the talented Drake could greatly benefit from a change of scenery.
Drake has never been a true No. 1 option in the NFL or while at Alabama. He wouldn't have to be in Detroit, either.
In a pinch, he is a more than capable starter who has a skill-set similar to Kerryon Johnson's.
The Miami running back is not a perfect player by any stretch, though.
He has struggled with ball security and pass blocking, but he would, at least, provide the Lions with a nice secondary punch on the ground.
Note: Jacksonville Jaguars RB Devine Ozigbo is another back to keep in mind. The Lions tried to claim him earlier this year after the New Orleans Saints cut him. The Jaguars had a higher-waiver priority, though.
Arizona Cardinals LB Haason Reddick
Here's a familiar name for Lions fans.
Reddick was the draft crush many Detroit fans had the year the Lions drafted Jarrad Davis (first round of the 2017 NFL Draft). Like the Dolphins, the Cardinals should be willing to shop almost any non-rookie with the future in mind.
The Lions don't necessarily need a linebacker, but the right linebacker is difficult to find for the style of defense the Lions play.
Reddick was a pass rusher at Temple, and has predominantly played as a middle linebacker in the NFL. That's the type of versatility Patricia covets.
The one downside is that Reddick is not exactly the long-framed, 250-pounder that Patricia usually deploys.
Reddick could put on a few pounds, and he would still be more athletic than the majority of linebackers in the NFL, though.
A Patriots/Quinn staple has always been to buy low on under-performing talent.
Reddick, a first-round selection in 2017, has not lived up to the bill as of yet.
Maybe Patricia can pull the best out of him in a scheme catered to Reddick's strengths.
Lastly, Lions LB Christian Jones is in the last year of his contract. Reddick, therefore, could be a nice reserve this year and a solid contributor for the defense in future seasons.
Washington Redskins WR Paul Richardson
Richardson is in the second year of a five-year, $40 million contract he signed with the Redskins.
The Redskins are going through a huge turnover, after firing head coach Jay Gruden earlier this week.
The large contract might be a little too rich for the Lions' liking, especially when they will have to extend wide receiver Kenny Golladay next offseason.
Fortunately, the Redskins would be on the hook for his signing bonus, which would lighten the cap hit for the Lions.
Richardson has played in at least 80 percent of the Redskins' snaps this year. However, he is not producing, mostly due to poor quarterback play.
He has recorded more than 40 yards receiving in only one game so far this year.
It would not be surprising if the Redskins wanted to unload his contract during their rebuilding phase.
With the Lions taking more deep shots than any team in the NFL, Richardson would add a nice deep-ball threat.
A reunion with his former offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, could be just what the doctor ordered for Richardson.
And yes, the Lions have a nice trio of receivers already. However, Danny Amendola is 33 years old and is on a one-year deal.
Logan's Final Thoughts
All in all, the Lions are in a position where they don't need to overspend on any one position.
It's very possible that GM Bob Quinn doesn't make any splashy trades.
If I had to guess, the Lions will remain conservative, and will not leverage high-draft capital for immediate improvement this year.
More: Who Is the Most Important Player for the Lions This Week?
