With final cuts just around the corner, here are five player trades the Detroit Lions should consider looking into right this second.
The Detroit Lions are scheduled to face off against the Cleveland Browns Thursday night in Ohio. It is the Lions’ preseason finale and mainly a showcase for players that will likely not make the final roster in Motown.
Although the Lions have a game to play, the brass in Detroit are undoubtedly preoccupied with more important matters than a meaningless exhibition. They are required by the NFL to trim their 90-man roster to just 53 players by Saturday afternoon. On top of that, there will be several players from other teams that will be hitting the waiver wire and open market as a result.
In an effort to snatch some of those fringe players before they are made available, the Lions may choose to trade for those who could help fill voids on their roster. If so, here are five trades Detroit should consider making right now.
Brian Hoyer, QB – New England Patriots
The battle for the primary backup role behind Matthew Stafford appears to still be undecided. Clearly, it’s a two-horse race between Tom Savage and Josh Johnson. The simple answer might be the Lions choose to keep both veteran passers on their final-53 man roster.
But the Lions might also decide to find their primary backup to Stafford elsewhere. And the first logical place to look would be the New England Patriots, the former employer of both Lions general manager Bob Quinn and second-year head coach Matt Patricia.
The emergence of rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham has made veteran Brian Hoyer a possible roster cut candidate. If the 33-year old veteran is indeed heading for release, the Lions could preemptively work out a trade with the familiar Patriots, securing a primary backup with 37 NFL starts under his belt.