What an opening night victory for the Detroit Lions, as Jared Goff and company went out and defeated the defending Super Bowl Champions. As Detroit walked off the field following the victory over Kansas City, they had to have been filled with even more belief that this group could, indeed, contend in 2023.
One thing that this offense could use, though, is a legitimate threat at wide receiver on the outside. Josh Reynolds provided some nice middle-of-the-field work at times, but Marvin Jones Jr. had a rough night. Outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions don't have a premier, dependable name.
Enter: Mike Evans, amidst a contract dispute with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans gave the Bucs a deadline of Week 1 for the two sides to get a new deal done, but it doesn't appear imminent.
If the Lions wanted to take advantage and make a move for Evans, they could look at offering one of these deals.
Trade Number 1: The Lions offer up a pick for Mike Evans
The first trade is fairly simple. The Lions would offer up a third-round pick in next year's draft. While it seems like a pretty steep offering, the Lions would also likely be wrapping up Evans on a new deal that would keep him in Detroit for a little while. So, trading a third rounder for that type of stability would make sense.
Don't forget, this is a receiver who has been the model of consistency over his tenure in the NFL. Evans has never finished with less than 1,000 yards receiving in his nine-year career, and offers Goff a 6-foot-5 frame who can go up and get anything thrown his way, even at age 30.