The NFL trade deadline is behind us, and lo and behold, the Detroit Lions didn't make any notable moves. Aside from sending a 2028 6th-rounder to the New York Jets for safety Andre Cisco, the Lions missed some key opportunities to bolster the roster. Even with the return of Brian Branch and eventually Kerby Joseph, Detroit needs help in the secondary, and there were several options around the league it passed up on.
Given the injury to Jack Campbell, the Lions also could've used some backup at the linebacker position. Additionally, Jahmyr Gibbs needs someone to take some weight off his shoulders in the backfield, but none of the fans' wishes came true. It wasn't a huge surprise, as general manager Brad Holmes has made it known that he doesn't think he needs to make a move.
There were 18 in-season trades before the deadline, and a host of players who were rumored to be on the chopping block stayed put. Below is a list of the top five players the Lions could have (and should have) traded for.
The Lions would be much better off with these 5 players
1. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Dallas Cowboys
This could be considered the biggest in-season miss by Holmes during his tenure with the Lions. Porter was essentially refusing to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and seemingly any team could have swooped in to grab him. Porter is 26 years old, great in man coverage and had only missed four games in his career before this season.
All it took for the Cowboys to acquire him was a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder. The Lions could have easily matched it, as they have 17 total picks throughout the next two drafts. Porter would have arguably became the best cornerback in the NFC North, and he would have elevated Detroit's defense to a new level. Unfortunately, fans will have to watch him play for a team that's not contending for a super bowl.
2. Daiyan Henley, LB, Denver Broncos
It might not be a name people recognize, but Henley would've done wonders for the Lions in the absence of Campbell. In his past two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, he accounted for 243 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions. Throughout his four seasons, Henley has never allowed more than one touchdown in pass coverage.
The Broncos got him in exchange for a 2027 4th-rounder and a 2028 5th-rounder. Detroit could have sent them two 4th-rounders, or anything slightly better than the Broncos' offer, and called it a day. This was a great opportunity to fill a need after the injury to Campbell.
3. Tariq Woolen, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Woolen reportedly stayed put with the Eagles because nobody offered them a deal that worked for them. However, given the fact that they made two in-season trades for draft picks, we know it was possible. Perhaps Eagles GM Howie Roseman liked hearing Woolen say he wants to stay. The other possibilty is Holmes didn't offer a deal the Eagles thought was fair, which would be consistent with the failure to acquire Porter.
At 27 years old, Woolen would've been a solid addition to put on the opposite side of DJ Reed. Woolen is more effective in zone coverage, but he would have been an upgrade in man-to-man as well.
READ MORE: Lions should be thrilled about running back trades that never happened
4. Jessie Bates, S, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bates was one of the bigger names to get moved at the deadline, and the Jaguars gave the Atlanta Falcons a 2027 2nd-rounder and a 2028 5th-rounder for him. I know he's not a cornerback, but his presence would have given defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard much more flexibility with his scheme. Until Joseph returns, it would have been Bates and Branch at safety. And whenever Joseph is good to go, Sheppard could've leaned on a nickle package more often for pass coverage.
With Bates, Branch and Joseph all on the field, and considering their pass rush, the Lions might have turned into one of the better pass coverage teams in the league with this move. However, the required draft capital was probably too much for Holmes to be comfortable with.
5. Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
With the Eagles getting rid of players left and right, it would have been worth it to check on Baun. Without Campbell, the Lions need another field general to play middle linebacker. Baun leads the Eagles with 65 tackles this season, and he finished No. 7 in the NFL in 2024 with 150. He's not great in pass coverage, but neither is Campbell, so that shouldn't have been enough to deter Holmes from getting him.
The Eagles probably needed a player in return in addition to draft picks, as Baun would have cost them $10.4 million in cap space in 2027 had he left. They likely asked teams to absorb the cap hit, but it's not a small amount to take on. For financial reasons, I would understand if Holmes walked away from this one.
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