Detroit Lions trade rumors: Former second-round pick gaining steam as a fit

As the Detroit Lions possibly try to find some defensive help, a former second-round pick is picking up some steam as a potential trade fit.

If not for the emergence of cornerback Jeff Okudah, even with a recent fade, the Detroit Lions’ secondary would be a real mess through five games. But at 1-4 at their bye week, giving up future assets for any substantial help this season probably isn’t happening between now and the trade deadline.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities for general manager Brad Holmes to make deals, and a former second-round pick is picking out some steam as a possible fit.

Sidney Jones got a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie in 2017. He was waived in 2020, spent that season with the Jacksonville Jaguars then was traded to the Seatte Seahawks in 2021. He played in 16 games for the Seahawks last year, starting 11, and had a career-high 66 total tackles along with 10 pass breakups.

NFL trade rumors: Sidney Jones an ideal fit for the Detroit Lions

As bad as the Seahawks’ defense has been this year, Jones has been a healthy scratch in three of five games as they’ve gone with Tariq Woolen, Mike Jackson and Coby Bryant as their top three corners. Head coach Pete Carroll has acknowledged that Jones is not thrilled with his role, after a preseason concussion led to Woolen taking his starting job.

Jones picking up some steam as a trade candidate before the Nov. 1 deadline, and in particular as a fit for the Lions.

First, Eric Edholm of NFL.com:

"The Lions are a team badly in need of corners, and Jones played well in an injury-abbreviated 2020 under then-Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash, now Detroit’s defensive line coach. Depending on whether the Lions think they’re in contention, they could be a possible team of interest."

The finishing bit about the Lions thinking their in contention or not feels moot. Jones is still young (26), on a cheap salary this season ($1.62 million; $3.56 million cap hit) and he has shown he’s plenty capable (84.3 passer rating allowed in 2021, via Pro Football Reference).

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has also pointed the Lions and Jones as a match, as he put Detroit on a list of teams who desperately need to make a trade before the deadline.

"For the current regime to make it to Year 3, the Lions have to show some progress. Right now, quarterbacks are having a field day against the Lions defense.Bringing in a veteran cornerback such as Sidney Jones could be a temporary solution to the problem. Jeff Okudah has shown signs of progress this season, but Amani Oruwariye went from being the starter to being a healthy scratch against New England."

The Seahawks don’t have much use for Jones, and for what it’s worth one of the two games he has played this season came against the Lions in Week 4 (a season-high 22 snaps). A late-round pick is a price worth paying and likely all it would take, to give Jones a change of scenery, add cornerback help and give him a clear opportunity to play.