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10 EDGE trade candidates for Detroit Lions to replace Aidan Hutchinson

Detroit Lions fans wake up on Victory Monday and are undoubtedly feeling conflicting emotions. After dismantling the Dallas Cowboys 47-9 on the road, the Lions made a statement to the NFL, but with the news that they have likely lost edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season, there is a mix of bitter and sweet.

With just one loss on the season, the Lions have a top-four record in the NFL, but in the past month they have lost all three of their starting rushers: Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes. If the Lions want to maintain their high level of play, they will need to explore the trade market.

When exploring a trade, there are several factors to consider: talent, position, contract, acquisition cost and age, which top the list. For general manager Brad Holmes, who always has an eye on the future, he will have to weigh these factors and look beyond the physical costs (draft picks, players traded away, etc.), as the Lions have several players who will do that. should be re-signed/extended this coming offseason.

For example, while the Lions have the salary cap space and draft capital to trade for almost anyone who could be on the trade block, Holmes will have to consider how much of that capital he is willing to give up versus the extent to which he is to give up. sacrifices that would mean potentially retaining some of their own players.

The dream player the Lions should try to acquire is Maxx Crosby (Raiders, 2-4 record). Crosby may be the only one-on-one replacement for Hutchinson in the NFL. He’s a dominant, never-playoff player and could be available given the Raiders’ rebuild. He’s from Lapeer, Michigan, played his college football at Eastern Michigan and has previously said that while he wants to be a Raider for life — something he’s stepped up his game on recently — there’s something intriguing about playing for the Lions.

At just 27 years old, Crosby is incredibly attractive, but he will come at some big cost. First, the Raiders would likely get at least two first-round draft picks (maybe more), and second, his salary is worth $25 million this season, $23 million next year and almost $20 million in 2026.

The implications of this would essentially mean that the cost of acquiring Crosby could be equivalent to two starters potentially being on rookie contracts for five seasons, and they would not be able to re-sign several key players next season, which possibly means saying goodbye to a player like Alim McNeill.

While several fans would love to make that trade, the real question is: would Holmes be willing to sacrifice three for one?

Trey Hendrickson (Bengals, 2-4) is next on many people’s list because the stylistic match is perfect and there is a familiarity between him and the coaching staff dating back to New Orleans. Our own Ryan Mathews has previously explored this trade in detail, but as the Bengals start to string together wins, the cost of acquiring him will increase.

Haason Reddick (Jets, 2-3) will be another popular name floating around Detroit, but he is a 30-year-old player currently awaiting a new contract, which is rumored to be in excess of $25 million per season. While he is still a talented pass rusher, there are a lot of questions surrounding him. The Jets gave up a conditional (compensatory) third-round pick to acquire Reddick and would certainly want to recoup their losses. The Lions don’t have a third-round pick in 2025, so they’ll likely have to give up a second- or fourth-round pick, plus additional compensation. Furthermore, would the Lions be willing to meet his contract demands? And, since he hasn’t played/practiced this year, how long would it take for him to get into football shape?

Knowing what we know about Holmes, there are significant obstacles to acquiring Crosby, Hendrickson and Reddick – both now and in the future – that will substantially and negatively impact the chances of him trading for any of them.

There will never be a perfect trade, and the Lions will have to be willing to compromise some of their preferences. But there are two trade candidates whose biggest hurdles can be avoided and should be near the top of the “realistic” trade options.

At the age of 32, Za’Darius Smith (Tanning, 1-5) isn’t the dominant Pro Bowler he once was, but he’s still very talented and capable of being productive in the Lions scheme. Stylistically, Smith (6-foot-1, 275 pounds) would be a plug-and-play starter in Hutchinson’s role. He can set the lead, apply pressure and get to the quarterback. He can play starter reps, but he needs help from depth players throughout the game.

During the 2023 offseason, the Vikings traded Smith to the Browns for two fifth-round picks, sending Smith, a sixth- and seventh-round pick to Cleveland. Now, a year and a half later, the cost of acquiring Smith in a trade should be even lower.

Additionally, Smith’s salary is very reasonable and would only cost the Lions $1.2 million this season. They would also have him under contract for potentially $5.4 million in 2025 (depending on bonuses), but they could also go uncapped if they felt they needed to.

While the physical cost to acquire and draft should be low, the Browns could be hesitant to trade Smith because they restructured his deal this offseason and created nearly $24 million in potential dead cap space if traded. But if the Lions were willing to absorb some of that cost, a deal would certainly become more likely. It’s unclear how much they are willing to take on, but they have room to be creative.

Personally, I think this potential deal makes the most sense. The Lions could get a starter-level player who fits the plan at a low price now and in the future, with some creative accounting. Cleveland would be my first call if I were Holmes.

The other option I would seriously consider is Harold Landry (Titans, 1-4). At 28, Landry’s salary is still at its peak and would cost a prorated $17.25 million this season and a non-guaranteed $17.25 million in both 2025 and 2026. This is a tasty number for the Lions, but there would be something to give. and be involved. The upside is that they may have a position-flexible edge rusher under contract for the next two seasons, but it could also take away a potential re-signing.

On the field, Landry took some time to recover from a 2022 ACL injury, but he came at the end of last season (11 sacks) and has four sacks in 2024. Additionally, Landry has played for the Lions the past six seasons. defensive line coach Terrell Williams, meaning there would likely be a quick transition to the Lions plan. Williams knows Landry’s strengths and how to use them properly, which would give the Lions a huge advantage that they won’t have in any other trade scenario.

If Holmes is looking to earn longer returns on his marketable capital, Landry will be a very intriguing option for him to consider.

5 other players who could be eligible:

  • Jadeveon Clowney, (Panthers, 1-5) is 31 years old and a inconsistent contributor at this stage of his career, but he is coming off an 11-sack season with the Ravens. He is also currently injured and needs to be healthy and healed before he can be traded.
  • Travon Walker, (Jaguars, 1-5) was suggested as a possible trade target for the Lions by ESPN’s Ben Solak, and while I completely agree with the idea, I also think the proposed cost to acquire him (2025 fourth-round selection, fourth-round selection round of 2026) doesn’t It doesn’t make much sense for the Jaguars.
  • Azeez Ojulari, (Giants, 2-4) is a young, developing pass rusher in the final year of his rookie contract, but he fits Barnes’ role more than Hutchinson’s. The Lions could be interested, but there would still be a defensive hole in the defense.
  • Jamin Davis, (Commanders, 4-2) is another player better suited to the role of SAM linebacker than defense, but the former first-round pick has fallen out of favor in Washington and could be acquired at a low cost.
  • Josh Uche, (Patriots, 1-5) is yet another young SAM option that would be cheaper to acquire but may not fit as large a need. The former Michigan Wolverine hasn’t quite lived up to his second-round draft pick status, but he is just two years removed from a 12-sack season and could be an intriguing addition.