The noise around edge rusher Micah Parsons‘ trade demand of the Dallas Cowboys has quieted in recent days, but it remains active as well as something the Detroit Lions should consider seriously.
While it is hard to imagine Jerry Jones dealing a potentially generational player who is just now heading into the fifth-year team option on his rookie contract, the right offer can get any deal done. And considering how close the Lions have come to the Super Bowl the last two postseasons, as well as how desperately their defense needs another pass rusher alongside Aidan Hutchinson, it feels like Detroit is among a handful of teams that might have the motivation to muster an asset package worthy of at least a long look.
The Cowboys want to be competitive this season after dumping $240 million into quarterback Dak Prescott and $136 million into wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Because of that, Detroit is going to have to include a viable edge rusher in any deal.
However, Dallas is also going to want an absolute haul for Parsons when it comes to draft picks. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell estimated the outside linebacker’s trade value at two first-round selections and then some on July 30.
“Parsons is going to get a record-setting deal when he signs,” Barnwell wrote. “I expect that to occur with the Cowboys before Week 1, but if they did decide they couldn’t justify paying three players market-setting deals at the league’s three most expensive positions, he would attract a massive trade haul.”
Detroit’s best chance to make the best offer is to reunite with three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Za’Darius Smith in free agency, then send him plus two first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Cowboys in return for Parsons.
Lions Could Create Best Edge-Rush Duo in League by Pairing Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson
GettyEdge rusher Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys.
That is an enormous amount for the Lions to surrender, but Parsons will play next season at just 24 years old and has been a Pro Bowler all four years he’s been in the NFL — not to mention an All-Pro three times and top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting on three occasions.
Parsons has tallied 112 QB hits, 63 tackles for loss and 52.5 sacks across 63 regular-season games played.
Given that production, he and Hutchinson would probably create the most fearsome pass-rushing duo in the entire league for at least the next five years to come — and likely longer if Detroit could keep them both around for multiple contracts.
Za’Darius Smith Among NFL’s Top 10 in QB Pressures Last Season
GettyFormer Detroit Lions edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
The Lions traded for Smith ahead of the 2024 mid-season deadline, and general manager Brad Holmes said earlier this month that the two sides remain in contact.
If Detroit worked it out with Smith and the Cowboys, the Lions could ink him to a reasonable two-year contract, then flip him to Dallas to fill Parsons’ old role. Smith will turn 33 in early September but he remains a quality pocked disruptor, racking up 63 QB pressures (ranked 10th in the NFL) and 10 sacks last season, per Pro Football Focus.
The Lions currently have more than $48 million in available salary cap space and can easily absorb the $24 million Parsons will make in 2025.
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