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3 trades to make the Detroit Lions playoff contenders in 2022

By Jacob Phillips

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the end zone on a 44-yard touchdown catch during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the end zone on a 44-yard touchdown catch during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Trade
Lions Receive: LB Deion Jones
Falcons Receive: 2023 5th-round pick

According to multiple different reports, Jones could be leaving the Atlanta Falcons soon after they have added linebackers this offseason via free agency and the draft.  On top of that, Jones has a cap hit of $20 million this year and $18 million next year. For an Atlanta team that’s continually cap-strapped, they could be eager to move on from an expensive player who has been up and down throughout his career.

On top of that, he just had shoulder surgery that will cause him to miss the rest of the offseason. It makes some sense for the Falcons to try and move on from him.

For the Lions, this would be a bet on the best version of Jones. He does have a Pro Bowl under his belt, but 2017 feels like a long time ago. At his best, he is a linebacker who makes plays all over the field. The Lions are in desperate need of a linebacker who’s a playmaker, to fill a need that has been there for seemingly the past decade. The Lions had hoped that Jarrod Davis would be that guy when they drafted him in 2017, but he certainly did not pan out how they hoped he would.

Giving up a fifth-round pick for Jones would be well worth the risk for his talent and the Falcons may take practically anything just to offload him. Again, at his best, he could be a dynamic, game-changing force on the field for a Lions’ defense that is in desperate need for talent in the middle tier of their defense. Adding Jones would be a risk worth taking, and it could could pay huge dividends.

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