With one of the best rosters in the game going into the 2023 NFL trade deadline, the Detroit Lions could still make a move or increase their margins.
Even though Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator, made remarks regarding Jameson Williams, the 2022 first-round pick, the Lions could certainly use another receiver, and there might not be a pass catcher that would be a significant improvement for Detroit.
Unless the Lions go after Mike Evans or DeAndre Hopkins (unlikely), they’ll probably consider more modest additions ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Detroit Lions Trade Deadline Moves
Bring in a Verstile Offensive Lineman
The Lions have been dealing with offensive line injuries all season long. Left guard Jonah Jackson and center Frank Ragnow will miss tonight’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, while left tackle Taylor Decker and top backup OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai have also been sidelined at points.
Ideally, Detroit could find a lineman capable of filling in at all five spots up front. But that type of flexibility is extremely difficult to locate.
If the Lions want to focus on interior players, they could consider trade candidates like Daniel Brunskill (Tennessee Titans), Brian Allen (Los Angeles Rams), or Tyler Larsen (Washington Commanders).
General manager Brad Holmes hasn’t been afraid to make in-division trades (see: the T.J. Hockenson swap with the Minnesota Vikings). As such, he might be interested in the Chicago Bears’ Cody Whitehair, who is expensive ($4.5 million remaining) but can play guard and center.
Detroit is healthier at tackle, but they could pursue options there, as well. Options might include Kelvin Beachum (Arizona Cardinals) or Jermain Eluemunor (Raiders).
Add DL Depth
Speaking of the Hockenson trade, another Vikings-Lions deal could be on the table if Detroit wants to go all in on the 2023 campaign.
Now that Kirk Cousins is out for the season, Minnesota is probably willing to sell pass rusher Danielle Hunter at the deadline. Adding a player of Hunter’s caliber could help the Lions ascend into Philadelphia Eagles territory in the NFC hierarchy, but Detroit will probably stick with lower-profile transactions.
The Titans’ Denico Autry can line up just about anywhere up front. Throughout his decade-long NFL career, Autry has played more than 1,600 snaps each outside the tackle, over the tackle, and in the B gap.
Lions DC Aaron Glenn could deploy Autry in innumerable ways, helping to form a dominant pass rush that includes Aidan Hutchinson and John Cominsky.
Trade for Jets CB Bryce Hall
The Lions tried to revamp their outside cornerback depth chart this offseason by signing free agents Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley. They went one for two.
Moseley, the victim of the worst injury luck since Jason Verrett, ruptured his Achilles in his first game back from a torn ACL. Holdover CB Jerry Jacobs has done an admirable job replacing Moseley, but Detroit needs more depth.
When Jacobs missed Week 7’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Will Harris had to fill in at cornerback. Harris is acceptable in the slot, but he’s stretched as a boundary corner.
The Lions should call the Jets about Bryce Hall, who started in Weeks 6 and 7 while Gang Green’s defensive backfield was banged up. Hall is a free agent at season’s end, and the Jets already have Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed at corner.
