As the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5 inches closer, the Detroit Lions figure to be active as they look to upgrade their roster during a season in which they have legit Super Bowl aspirations.
One area where the Lions need help is in the pass-rush after veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport suffered a season-ending elbow injury. Davenport was signed during the offseason to provide help to star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
One NFL analyst, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, suggests the Lions make a trade for disgruntled New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick, who remains in a standoff with the team over his desire for a contract extension.
“Reddick would also be a logical trade target for the Lions, who recently lost edge-rusher Marcus Davenport to a biceps injury,” Knox wrote. “Adding Reddick would give Detroit a high-end complement opposite Aidan Hutchinson and would help shore up a defense that showed some vulnerability against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4.
Reddick would be a massive get for the Lions. The 30-year-old has tallied double-digit sacks in each of the past four seasons, including a career-high 16 in 2022. Detroit has the cap space to oblige his desire for an extension.
Another suggestion Knox makes is the Lions trading for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who is in the final year of his deal.
“The Detroit Lions could be interested in Baker as well. They are chasing a title and recently placed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve with an ankle/Achilles injury,” Ballentine wrote. “Melifonwu hasn’t played yet this season, and the Lions have a solid safety tandem in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, but it’s not hard to envision them finding room for Baker in their secondary rotation.
As Knox notes, the Lions already have a strong safety duo in Joseph and Branch, so this one isn’t as necessary. However, it would be hard to say no to a six-time Pro Bowler, especially if the price is right. Detroit does have a question mark in terms of depth at the position, with Melifonwu on injured reserve.
Adding Reddick is the more needed move, but having Baker on the defense, also, would give Detroit an embarrassment of riches and a unit capable of getting this team to where it wants to go.
