Trade proposal for Detroit Lions to get a veteran cornerback lands in realistic territory

Maybe it'll be in free agency, and/or April's draft. Maybe a trade for someone of note could be on the radar. Whatever it looks like, the Detroit Lions have a big need a cornerback to address this offseason.

It's a little hard to envision a big swing for someone in a trade, but it also shouldn't be ruled out.

Teams who are in salary cap trouble could provide an opportunity for the Lions to make a trade for a cornerback. Within that salary cap trouble premise, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently offered a list of five trades to help teams create some cap relief.

At the top of the list is a deal involving the Lions.

Buffalo Bills receive: 2024 third-rounder (No. 92 overall pick)
Detroit Lions receive: CB Rasul Douglas and 2024 sixth-rounder (No. 206 overall pick)

"The Detroit Lions may want to take a swing at a ready-made starter following their run to the NFC Championship Game. If the Lions intend to open their Super Bowl window, they must strengthen their pass defense, which ranked 27th last season."

"Douglas would make an immediate impact on the back end of Detroit's defense as the best playmaker among its cornerbacks. The Lions can afford to give up one of their two third-round picks to patch up a glaring weakness."

Proposed trade to get Detroit Lions a veteran cornerback lands in realistic range

The Bills acquired Douglas from the Green Bay Packers before the 2023 trade deadline, as they also got a 2024 fifth-round pick and sent a 2024 third-round pick back to the Packers.

In only nine games for Buffalo last season, Douglas led the team interceptions (four) and pass breakups (eight). Over the last three seasons, he has 14 interceptions and 40 pass breakups.

Douglas will turn 30 years just before next season starts (Aug. 29). He's also entering the last year of his contract, with a cap hit near $10 million for a Bills' team that is currently significantly in the red. Swapping Douglas out for a Day 2 draft pick that could be used to bring in his replacement feels like it should be on their radar.

From the Lions' end of it, a long-term commitment would not have to be made to Douglas as he approaches his 30s. But he could be very useful next season, even only as one-year fill-in to help shore up a bad defense and be a veteran leader.

Of all the proposed and thought about moves for the Lions to get a veteran cornerback this offseason, a trade for Douglas (or someone like him) lands in very realistic territory.