The Detroit Lions profile as among the most likely teams to pursue a pass rusher ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and there’s reason to think they may even take a look at adding a couple of them.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN authored a handful of trades that “make sense” on Thursday, October 16. Two of those deals involved Detroit and a big move for a big presence off the edge.
The first proposal would see the Lions send the Cincinnati Bengals a second-round pick in return for defensive end Trey Hendrickson and a fourth-round selection in what Barnwell referred to as the team’s “all-in move.”
“The Lions have one superstar up front in Aidan Hutchinson, but they’ve never really landed that second one,” Barnwell wrote. “Furthermore, the Lions are dealing with a secondary that’s already battered by injuries. Free agent addition D.J. Reed (hamstring) is on injured reserve, while Terrion Arnold narrowly avoided a multi-month shoulder injury.”
“One way to help that secondary is to have a more efficient pass rush, especially without needing to blitz.”
Lions Could Find Solid Value in Trade for Jaelan Phillips
GettyMiami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Barnwell then immediately jumped into his next proposal, which would see the Lions send the Miami Dolphins a fourth-round pick in return for pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and a seventh-rounder.
“I’m arguing that the Lions should go all-in. This team experienced what it was like to lose Hutchinson and virtually every one of its other ambulatory pass rushers last season,” Barnwell continued. “Its secondary is battling injuries. No team has ever made it into January and complained that it had too many pass rushers.”
Phillips’ biggest issue is his history of serious injuries, including an ACL and an Achilles tendon. However, when healthy, he has generally been an above-average performer off the edge.
“His 14.5% pressure rate and 6.8% quick pressure rate, both per Next Gen Stats, are well above league average for edge rushers with 100 or more snaps this season,” Barnwell noted. “Phillips’ average pressure comes after just 2.6 seconds, the seventh-fastest rate among that cohort.”
Lions Could Keep Trey Hendrickson Longterm, Jaelan Phillips Through Playoff Run
GettyDetroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions have a little over $25 million in salary cap space, so they can afford to take a big swing or two. And Detroit doesn’t necessarily need to commit to both players beyond this season.
Hendrickson would make more sense as the guy to try and lock up longterm, at least in Barnwell’s scenario because the Lions would be sacrificing a second-round pick to acquire him. That won’t be cheap, as Spotrac projects Hendrickson’s market value at just under $35 million annually over a new four-year contract.
That said, Hutchinson and Hendrickson could anchor a dominant defensive front in Detroit for years if they become teammates, as Hutchinson is currently extension-eligible and likely to earn a monster contract of his own.
Phillips would come cheaper on a new contract, and given his injury history and lack of traditional statistical production so far this year, the Lions could potentially negotiate a deal comprised of fewer years and a more moderate salary.
Otherwise, Detroit could look at Phillips as a one-year rental play on a roster that is poised to contend for a Super Bowl for the third postseason in a row.
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