Lions Blockbuster Trade Pitch Nets Detroit 2 Star Edge Rushers
Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals sacks quarterback Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions during an NFL game in 2025.
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
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
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.
Broncos Add Veteran Quarterback in Late Week 7 Roster Shakeup
The Denver Broncos made Dre Greenlaw’s activation from injured reserve official, but they also signed a quarterback in their pre-gameday roster shuffle before facing the
Former Indianapolis Colts QB and 2021 sixth-round draft pick Sam Ehlinger is back. The Broncos released Ehligner in a move many viewed as a precursor to Greenlaw’s return from IR, which proved accurate.
Now, Ehlinger is back with the Broncos, albeit in a different capacity.
Broncos Sign Sam Ehlinger to Practice Squad
GettyJarrett Stidham #8 and Sam Ehlinger #4 of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the
The Broncos carried Ehlinger as their third quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham, making him inactive as their emergency third-stringer on game days. In need of a roster spot for Greenlaw, Ehlinger’s made the most sense to the Broncos.
His return as a member of the practice squad comes with a tweak to his role this week.
“#Broncos don’t elevate QB Sam Ehlinger from practice squad for Sunday’s game because there’s no need to from money standpoint,”
Ehlinger, 27, has thrown for 573 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in his career, and he is 0-3 as a starter. However, he showed well with the Broncos during the preseason.
Nix is the Broncos’ unquestioned starter, and his trusted backup, Stidham, has starting experience. Ehlinger had been relegated to holding a clipboard as the emergency third QB on game days.
That job will now fall on someone else if anything happens to Nix and Stidham.
Broncos Make Roster Moves Official
Ehlinger and Greenlaw’s respective returns were just some of the Broncos’ moves before Sunday’s tilt.
“Denver also released defensive back A.J. Woods from the practice squad and released wide receiver Thayer Thomas from the practice squad with an injury settlement,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 18.
The Broncos initially designated Thomas as practice squad/injured on October 14.
Woods joined the Broncos in September during another flurry of roster moves, but he never appeared in any of the three games Denver played during his tenure.
The Broncos still boast a deep group of cornerbacks. The group is led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II. Their depth has made it challenging to get 2025 first-round draft pick
Giants Get Glimmer of Hope Before Broncos Game
GettyAbdul Carter #51 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Broncos will face a Giants team that
“#Giants LB Abdul Carter, dealing with a hamstring injury and having flown four hours to Denver, is a game-time decision for Sunday, source said,”
The Broncos are still 7.5-point favorites, per Vegas Insider.
That ties the Broncos with the Chicago Bears (vs the New Orleans Saints) for the second-largest line of Week 7. They are behind the Kansas City Chiefs against the
