The Detroit Lions are riding a four-game win streak into the November 10 trade deadline, but that doesn't mean the team should avoid making any moves to help bolster their injury-riddled roster.
While Kerby Joseph is practicing again and the Lions' defense as a whole looks a heck of a lot better than they did a few weeks ago, they still have some glaring needs in their secondary - cornerback is their most obvious one, although adding some depth at safety wouldn't hurt, either. Of course, another sudden need for the team is at linebacker, with Jack Campbell (neck) now on the IR.
General manager Brad Holmes' best trade deadline acquisition to date was, arguably, his trade for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith when the team was desperate to replace Aidan Hutchinson in 2024. Will he feel the same pressure to replace Campbell at the deadline? Is he sticking with perusing the cornerback market?
Or, will he look at the Lions' body of work over their win streak and decide they're good?
Time will tell.
Last updated: Monday, November 9, 1:38pm EST
- Latest Lions trade deadline moves
- Latest Lions trade rumors
- Potential Lions trade targets
- Positions of need
- Tradable draft picks
Latest Lions trade deadline moves
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Lions are trading for safety Andre Cisco from the New York Jets in exchange for a 2028 6th-round pick. This is likely a depth move, as Detroit's a bit thin behind Brian Branch and Chuck Clark - and, hopefully, soon behind Joseph and Branch.
Cisco's not exactly an inspiring player, but he's a playable safety who fits well within the Lions' defensive scheme.
Latest Lions trade rumors
Detroit is working the phones ahead of the deadline
ESPN's Eric Woodyard reported back on November 4 that the Lions' biggest target was a cornerback. He wrote that head coach Dan Campbell commented on Holmes' activity ahead of the deadline on October 30, sharing that the general manager had been working the phones "nonstop." It's obvious, then, that the Lions are trying hard to land additional help at the deadline, but it remains to be seen what caliber of trade they're willing to make to get that help.
Lions could have interest in Mike Sainristil, Riq Woolen
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on November 3 the Lions could have interest in Washington Commanders CB Mike Sainristil or Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen, with Breer noting that multiple losses and a need to clear cap space could push the Eagles into a bit of a sell-off.
I've written a bit about the Woolen fit for the Lions, as he's a tall corner would can provide some size to a secondary that's on the shorter side. Sainristil, as Breer notes in his report, is a "reclamation project." I don't know if that's the kind of thing the Lions are looking to add to their plate as a defense right now.
Lions have no concrete interest in LB help at deadline (yet)
Some speculation was had about the Lions' need for a linebacker at the deadline after Week 9, with Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks tossed out as a name by Breer. Right now, though, it seems the name - and position - that keeps popping up is cornerback, and Woolen. After missing out on Joey Porter Jr., it makes sense that Detroit is trying to pivot and land another starting caliber defender.
Potential Lions trade targets
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
Woolen is shooting to the top of this big board just because of how much smoke we're seeing between him and the Lions. He'd be a great get for the team, and proof that Detroit is taking their contention potential seriously this season.
Here's the kicker, though: Woolen is going to pose another contractual issue for the Lions ahead of a busy offseason, which will likely already include a Brian Branch extension and a Sam LaPorta extension (or, a LaPorta franchise tag). He'd be a one-year rental, but he's also just 27 years old. He'd well worth the investment if he does get traded over to the Lions and immediately performs.
CB Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
Gardner is a bit of a pie-in-the-sky trade target for the Lions. Gardner's had an understated season, which is kind of always the case for the defender, as he doesn't rack up a ton of interceptions. He is, however, an imposing force in man coverage, and one of the most dangerous defensive backs to test in the NFL.
Of course, the Colts - despite a free-fall and no relief in sight by way of the upcoming 2027 draft - would probably want a handsome payday for Gardner's services. He was traded for with two first-round picks, and it's hard to imagine the team not wanting a first-rounder back for him, at minimum.
He fits the Lions' timeline in every way except for his trade price tag.
CB Charvarius Ward, Indianapolis Colts
The other cornerback impressing in the Colts' system this season is Ward, who could likely be had for less than a first-round pick. The veteran cornerback has been having a great year with Indianapolis, with six pass breakups and a solid 74.1 run defense grade from PFF. He's also only allowing a 63.7 passer rating this season, another plus.
Ward's cap hit is $24.6 million in 2027, when he'll be 32 years old. Detroit could potentially restructure his deal while offering some sort of extension to the defensive back, but that is quite the hit to their books for only two years of service, potentially.
LB Cody Barton, Tennessee Titans
Barton could be the Lions' best bet for replacing Campbell's communication skills and leadership qualities in their linebacker room this season. It is very hard to discuss a Lions linebacker unit without Campbell, and it's an unfortunate reality that the front office has to confront ahead of tomorrow's deadline.
Barton, 29, is allowing a 97.8 passer rating this season, so he's likely not the best coverage linebacker that the Lions could tyr and snag. But, he might just be the most attainable with later round picks, which is likely all that Detroit is willing to part with if they're already giving up better draft capital for a cornerback.
Positions of need
1. Cornerback
Obvious position of need is obvious. Cornerback remains the Lions' biggest weakness, especially with D.J. Reed both steadily improving while also dealing with injury woes, and as the team might not be ready to fully trust Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as their CB2 moving forward. They have to invest in this position, as even a slightly improved secondary could bolster their divisional title chances tenfold.
2. Linebacker
As mentioned, the loss of Campbell is basically insurmountable. He's such a key cog to the Lions' defense, and they'll miss his tackling and communication in the open field while he is on the IR. If Detroit could manage to snag a coverage linebacker at the deadline, it'd be a huge win for their defense. Additionally, it'll help out their secondary - and defensive line - to have a stronger second line of attack against the pass and the run.
3. Safety
This is a need that's suddenly falling down the Lions' list, and that's a great thing. With Branch healthy, and with Chuck Clark being such a steady veteran force in the room this season, the Lions don't really need to go out and spend a lot on additional safety help. It'd just be nice to see them add depth behind Branch, a hopefully-returning Joseph, Clark, and rookie Keith Abney II.
Of course, they somewhat tackled this with their trade for Cisco.
4. Edge rusher
This is another need that is wild to see tumbling down the list, but thanks to the work of DJ Wonnum, Alim McNeill, and rookies Skyler Gill-Howard and Derrick Moore, Detroit isn't desperate to land a starting edge rusher to plug in next to Hutchinson. I've sunsetted our Maxx Crosby trade pre-write, I promise.
That said, it wouldn't hurt to add depth here for the same reasons as listed for some safety help - injuries happen, and luckily, the Lions' depth behind Wonnum managed to step up against the Dolphins in Week 9. But, some veteran help there would go a long way to fortifying an already-scary defensive front.
5. Running back
With Sione Vaki beginning to look like a reliable RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions probably don't envision another running back getting added to the roster at the deadline. In a way - and forgive me for sound too Holmes-y - the impending return of Isiah Pacheco will be an acquisition. Pacheco, while injury-prone and a bit inconsistent, could be a welcome punch and fresh legs to add to their roster right before a postseason push.
Tradable draft picks
2027
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 4
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 7
- Round 7
- Round 7 (via LAC)
Detroit is pretty flush for tradeable draft capital at the moment, and they are projected to have an additional compensatory pick after losing Amik Robertson in free agency. Of course, they can't trade a projected pick, so what's listed above are almost entirely their own picks, with the addition of one acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers.
That was via the David Montgomery-Houston Texans trade, with the Texans sending a pick from the Chargers to the Lions.
2028
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 4
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 7
Again, the Lions are flush. It's kind of funny to see, considering how much capital two other teams within their own division have given up in recent seasons to add firepower - the Bears with their recent pick haul for Jeffrey Simmons, and the Packers' huge Micah Parsons swing which took away their first rounder for 2027.
Add us as a preferred source on Google