Pros and Cons of Lions Trading for DT Ed Oliver
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has done a solid job of addressing a variety of needs throughout the course of this offseason.
He's added multiple impact defensive backs to a once subpar secondary (i.e. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Brian Branch), while also acquiring much-needed help at both linebacker (Jack Campbell) and tight end (Sam LaPorta) via this past April's NFL Draft.
Yet, Detroit still has a distinct need along the interior of its defensive line. At this present juncture in the offseason, the best way for the team's front office to upgrade the position is through the trade market.
If Holmes & Co. do indeed deploy this strategy to add an interior D-lineman, the Buffalo Bills' Ed Oliver would be a solid target. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin echoes the sentiment, and recently listed Detroit as a "logical" landing spot for the Buffalo defensive lineman.
Oliver has been the definition of a steady contributor for the Bills since entering the league in 2019 out of Houston.
Since his rookie campaign, he's produced at least 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two passes defensed and one forced fumble each season.
Oliver's been a better pass rusher than run defender through the majority of his career, having recorded Pro Football Focus pass-rush grades of 74.7 and 73.7 in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
However, in 2022, his PFF pass-rush grade dipped to a career-low 62.9, while his run-defense grade improved to a career-best 68.7. Despite the down year in pass-rush productivity, the 6-foot-1, 287-pounder still recorded 14 QB hits, nine tackles for loss and his first career safety, en route to earning a solid overall PFF grade of 68.5.
Undoubtedly, the 25-year-old would be an upgrade to a Detroit defensive line that features inexperienced starters Alim McNeill and Isaiah Buggs on the interior, along with rookie Brodric Martin.
Yet, Oliver, who's in the fifth year of his rookie deal, is also due to be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and will likely be looking for a hefty new contract.
According to Spotrac, the Houston native's estimated market value right now is $10.4 million (annually). Additionally, the aforementioned go-to site for player contracts believes Oliver presently could get a four-year contract worth north of $41M on the open market.
As Benjamin writes, "Oliver's been a sturdy piece of Buffalo's interior for the last four years, but he's entering a contract year and could be angling for a lucrative extension after massive deals for veterans like Javon Hargrave on the open market. Sean McDermott would surely much rather keep him around as the Bills make another title push, but if they could reallocate the $10.8M he's due in 2023 and further bolster Josh Allen's weapons, an early split probably isn't out of the question."
Once again, Oliver would be an immense upgrade along the interior of the Lions' defensive line. Yet, when you factor in his contract situation and the likely significant draft capital it would take to acquire him, I just don't see Holmes & Co. pulling the trigger on a trade involving Oliver.
