2. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Trading for Crosby would be a dream of many, if not all, Lions' fans. He grew a Lions' fan in Michigan, and went to Eastern Michigan. During a March edition of his podcast "The Rush", he was asked what other team he'd want to play for if the Raiders were off the table.
“The Lions."
At the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, Crosby was captured talking to Penei Sewell about Dan Campbell and having grown up in Michigan as a Lions' fan.
But let's get down to the reality of making the trade for Crosby. The Raiders would rightfully have a high asking price, and Crosby is under contract through 2026. That said, Over The Cap shows no more guaranteed salary after this year.
Crosby would have to ask to be traded to be moved, at this year's trade deadline or ever. But is that out of the question if a current 1-2 record becomes worse? Would he specifically ask the Raiders to try to engage the Lions in trade talks? If the Lions are going to be particularly aggressive to replace Davenport, which feels unlikely but not impossible, that idea starts here.
1. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are 0-3, and history says you're not making the playoffs after that start. Since 1980, six teams that started 0-3 have made the playoffs. One team has done it this century (the 2018 Houston Texans).
This side of Joe Burrow, the Bengals have hesitated to give anyone a lucrative long-term contract. Owner Mike Brown is notably behind the times, and stingy. d
With two years left on his contact, Hendrickson asked for a trade back in April before deciding to put the request aside and show up to the offseason program, etc. But it does seem like the Bengals have no real intention of extending him beyond 2025, especially if he produces this season like he has. He has three sacks over the first three games, after posting 17.5 sacks last season. In three of the last four full seasons, he has had at least 13.5 sacks. In the lone exception, 2022 (eight sacks), he was Pro Football Focus' 15th highest-graded edge defender.
Hendrickson also has some history with the Lions' coaching staff. He played for the New Orleans Saints from 2017-2020, overlapping with Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn there. In his final season in New Orleans, he became the pass rusher he is now with 13.5 sacks.
Hendrickson will turn 30 in December, which may further bolster the idea the Bengals would listen to trade offers no matter where their season goes from here. He has cap hits of $20.17 million this year and $18.7 million next year, which the Lions can make work before more significant cap numbers start to hit their books.
The idea of trading for Hendrickson, as with anyone else on this list, has to mention cost. A second or third-round pick is probably a starting point, with an extra pick possibly required with multiple suitors presumed if Hendrickson were available.
But the fit looks great, and Hendrickson is shaping up as the most ideal replacement for Davenport if the Lions move aggressively to fill the void.