Lions Blockbuster Trade Pitch Nets Detroit 2 Star Edge Rushers
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.
BREAKING: Bills Get Disappointing Update on Buzzy WR Trade Target
The Buffalo Bills are currently enjoying their bye week, but it’s clear that they have some things that need to be fixed when they return to the field in Week 8. After starting the season off 4-0, the Bills have lost their past two games to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, with some serious flaws being exposed along the way.
While Buffalo knows it’s going to be alright on offense as long as Josh Allen is under center, injuries have depleted the offense of some of its top playmakers. With that in mind, the team is expected to be active in attempting to acquire some help on offense for Allen ahead of the trade deadline. According to some recent rumors, though, it sounds like one of their top targets, Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints, may not end up being an option for them.
Bills Set to Miss Out on Chris Olave
Allen’s ability to make plays both on the ground and in the air makes the Bills’ offense very difficult to stop, regardless of who is on the field alongside him. With James Cook at running back and guys like Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Dalton Kincaid leading the way in the air, Buffalo has several guys who can help take some of the pressure off of Allen.
As the team’s two recent losses indicate, though, it may not be enough for this team if it wants to win a Super Bowl this year. With that in mind, Olave has popped up as a potential trade target. Playing for a desolate Saints team, Olave has enjoyed a strong start to the season (39 receptions, 342 yards, one touchdown) after missing half of last season with concussion issues.
Olave could come in and immediately be the top target for Allen in the Bills’ passing attack, but it would likely cost the team a pretty penny if they were to make a move for him. It seems like they won’t have to worry about that, though, as New Orleans is rumored to be attempting to lock up Olave on a long-term contract extension, rather than potentially unloading him ahead of the trade deadline.
“The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported.
Who Else Could the Bills Trade After Striking Out on Chris Olave?
GettySaints wide receiver Chris Olave at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2023.
Buffalo missing out on Olave is a big blow, as the wide receiver trade market doesn’t appear to be stocked full of names ahead of the deadline. Two of Olave’s teammates, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks, could be names to watch, as could Las Vegas Raiders star Jakobi Meyers, who requested a trade before the season that the team did not fulfill.
The Bills could also simply hope to get healthy, but this season feels like Super Bowl or bust, and it’s become abundantly clear over the past two games that Allen needs some more help on offense. Making a trade in the NFL is never an easy process, but if Buffalo is serious about winning it all this season, it may want to go out and swing a couple of deals before the trade deadline strikes.
