Detroit Lions: 5 trade deadline scenarios with 8 mock trades
Trade Scenario #3 – Lions Sell Big
A scenario where Lions fans are all to familiar with. Trading their big name players for future draft assets.
Example Trade #1
Fan favorite wideout Marvin Jones Jr is in a contract year and the future in Detroit seems uncertain. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the offense could survive without him. Hockenson would have to take on a bigger role and a lot of trust would be put on rookie wideout Quintez Cephus.
The question arises; is the return on a trade worth enough to move on from and learn to live without Jones Jr? A third round pick is the least the Lions should accept. Despite being on a contract year, he still valuable enough to keep this season.
Quarterback Josh Allen could use another option next to wideout Stefon Diggs. The Buffalo Bills can afford to give up a 3rd round pick to ensure their rising quarterback is comfortable.
Example Trade #2
Before you click away in disgust, hear the possibility out. Rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is now the starter for the Miami Dolphins. The NFL becomes a harsh environment when your rookie quarterback fails to play well.
With Tagovailoa being a lefty, the right tackle in their offense essentially takes on the role of the left tackle. Becoming the protector of the quarterback’s blindside. The issue? The Dolphins lack a quality offensive tackle.
Miami’s second round pick and offensive lineman Robert Hunt has taken over the right tackle job these past few weeks. However, Hunt’s build and fit is better suited to play guard. With an overabundance in high draft picks, they could afford to let go of one.
Bring in offense tackle Tyrell Crosby, who is on the verge of a breakout season, the Dolphins offensive line becomes much better. Hunt and Crosby would sure up the right side of the line, putting Tagovailoa in the position to succeed.
Which makes giving up the second round pick worth the gamble. Not to mention, quality offensive tackles are almost never available during the trade deadline.
The Lions on the other hand, would bring back guard Joe Dahl into the starting lineup. Moving pricey free-agent signing in offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai at Crosby’s spot. While also taking on a young defensive tackle in Raekwon Davis.
Likelihood?
Highly doubtful. It’s hard to see a way where the Lions could sell at the deadline. When box safety Quandre Diggs left, the position group hurt significantly. Same situation when former receiver Golden Tate was shipped out. This regime doesn’t get a do-over this time and they have to win.