1 Player at Every Defensive Position Detroit Lions Could Trade For
The Detroit Lions currently sit at 4-2, but are facing a little bit of advsersity after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In both losses this season, the Lions have shown flaws that cannot be overlooked and must be addressed.
Based on their current record and success, it is a safe assumption the Lions will be buyers at the trade line.
Defensively, the unit is meshing well under Kelvin Sheppard, but here are a few options that could push the unit to the top.
EDGE
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
If the Lions are going to be all in, they might as well acquire the best on the market. Hendrickson is the most likely trade candidate for teams looking to bolster their pass rush in the second half of the season.
The Lions can afford to make the move for Hendrickson’s massive contract this year, and this year only. It becomes a matter of now or never with Detroit. That said, the Bengals’ recent win in Thursday Night Football may force the belief of Cincinnati being sellers at the deadline to be re-assessed.
Interior Defensive Line
Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals
The long-time veteran amidst his age-39 season is in the twilight of his career, but is still productive. With the Lions looking for a spark, Campbell provides an intriguing option that can play inside and out. If the Lions acquire another edge rusher, Campbell can provide another weapon inside.
The big advantage with Campbell and his experience is that he provides a great option for rookie Tyleik Williams and second-year player Mekhi Wingo to pick the veteran’s brain. Additionally, at 39 years old, Campbell will not be hindering either’s spot on the depth chart for much longer.
With Alim McNeill working his way back and getting closer each week and Levi Onwuzurike’s season being over before it began, Campbell is more than just an insurance policy.
Linebacker
Jamal Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
The linebacker room is admittedly one of the most stacked in the position group, making it hard for there to be a clear option. The trio of Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, and Jack Campbell give any offense a hard time planning for. However,
The converted safety spends most of his time at linebacker now, and is familiar with Detroit’s defense after starting in two games for them last season. Following an uncharacteristically poor showing by Jack Campbell against the Chiefs’ passing attack, adding a linebacker with pass coverage as a strength would be very welcomed.
Cornerback
Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
With D.J. Reed on the injured list, Ennis Rakestraw out for the year, and Terrion Arnold week-by-week, a secondary piece is the second-most desired position for Detroit this trade deadline.
Woolen provides prototypical length at 6-foot-4 and proven production. While he is having a down year currently, his past numbers make him a very intriguing option. Woolen’s addition would also take pressure off of Arnold even if the second-year player and Reed are back at full strength sooner rather than later.
Nickel cornerback
Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
Taylor is a hybrid corner, but has played more snaps at nickel (172) than outside (117) this season, per PFF. The Lions are starting their third nickel of the season on Monday, as Avonte Maddox is out and Amik Robertson has been bumped to the outside from Arnold and Reed’s injuries.
The New Orleans Saints are a team that Campbell recommends dealing with often, based on his past time with the Saints. While Campbell had moved on to Detroit before Taylor was drafted, the nickel is a player that Campbell likely knows more about from his contacts in the personnel departments. In a market with lots of unknowns,
Safety
Tony Adams, New York Jets
The Lions boast one of the top safety duos in the league, and Thomas Harper has shown some flashes in his extremely limited reps this year. However, with Brian Branch suspended this week and Kerby Joseph out, it is always worth seeing who can push the Lions over the top, assuming the price is reasonable.
They may find their trade target with a familiar face, that being New York’s Aaron Glenn. Adams has already lost playing time to Malachi Moore with the Jets. With Adams on an expiring contract, Glenn can look to get a return out of Adams.
The Lions do not need a start, but a veteran backup that can step up would be highly beneficial. Adams brings 31 starts in 46 games, and can be relied upon if Joseph’s injury persists.
Dodgers predicted to reunite with $80M MVP, World Series champion, 2-time All-Star veteran
The Los Angeles Dodgers are making some noise in the postseason, which feels surprising given their up-and-down regular season. However, the final week of the season should have been a clear hint of what was to come. Until their loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, the Dodgers hadn’t lost in 10 games. Manager Dave Roberts sent a clear message to the rest of the league after sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let's get four more wins and really ruin baseball,” Roberts said on the air.
While all focus should be on the World Series, it’s never too early to look ahead to the offseason. The Dodgers could very well reunite with a familiar face—one who has made plenty of memories in Los Angeles.
“After winning NL MVP in 2019, Bellinger hit a combined .203/.272/.376 for a 76 OPS+ over 1,143 plate appearances in the three years that followed, which ultimately led to him being non-tendered. In three years since he left, he has a 125 OPS+ and 12.0 WAR in 412 games, and he could be atop the Dodgers list of potential targets to replace Michael Conforto as a left-handed hitting outfielder,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote.
Bellinger is expected to opt out of his remaining contract with the Yankees.
“As expected, New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger plans to opt out of his contract and become a free agent next month, a source told ESPN. Bellinger, 30, has a $25 million player option for next season. After a rebound season in his first year in pinstripes, he presumably will receive widespread interest in free agency—it should yield a lucrative multi-year contract,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.
If the Dodgers decide to go all in with the Yankees, it will spark a bidding war. However, if any team is suited for a bidding war, it’s the Dodgers.
Bellinger is a versatile player willing to play anywhere on the field. The Dodgers would love having Bellinger back in blue.
