When considering which edge rusher the Detroit Lions might make a deal for before the trade deadline (if they make a deal), the list is long and stretches from unrealistic pipe dreams to very realistic possibilities.
Head coach Dan Campbell hinted at the search for an edge rusher going to a different level this week when he acknowledged general manager Brad Holmes had him take a closer look at "a couple things."
Until something is done or 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 5 (trade deadline day) has passed, there will be plenty of speculation about who the Lions might add to replace Aidan Hutchinson. When previously unmentioned names come up, it can be worth noting.
Grade the trade proposal: Lions add big-name edge rusher
On his list of "10 NFL Trades That Need To Happen Before The Deadline", Chris Licata of Athlon Sports had this proposal involving the Lions.
Lions receive: Khalil Mack
Chargers receive: 2025 fourth-round pick, 2025 seventh-round pick
The 33-year old Mack is older than might be ideal, there's no doubt about that. But he is Pro Football Focus' third-best graded edge defender so far this season (entering Week 8), with the second-best run defense grade at the position (92.1). He doesn't have a sack since Week 3 (2.5 sacks on the season), but he leads the Chargers in pressures (22, 10 over the last two games).
As Licata acknowledged, moving Mack would require the 3-3 Chargers to move into sell-mode. But a previously costly contract became far more palatable when it was restructured in March, leaving the eight-time Pro Bowler with a $1.255 million base salary for this year-the final year of his contract. An acquiring team would pick up the prorated portion of that for the rest of the season.
Mack was mentioned as a potential trade target for the Lions when the 2024 offseason started. It didn't make sense from a financial standpoint then, beyond any concerns about his age or future production. It makes far more sense on the financial front now, and two Day 3 draft picks is a reasonable cost to consider when it comes to renting an edge rusher who has plenty left in the tank.