The Detroit Lions have the most recent first-round pick they have ever owned heading into an NFL draft with their current pick, No. 29 overall in the 2024 draft. However, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes the Lions won’t cling onto that selection. Kay recommended that the Lions trade their selection for edge rusher Joey Bosa to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kay wrote, “Joey Bosa would be the perfect target for Detroit.” “In addition to being a superb pass-rusher who has amassed an impressive 67 sacks in his first 93 career games, he is also a tough, industrious player who would fit right in with the tough group head coach Dan Campbell has put together.”
Over the previous two seasons, Bosa has appeared in just 14 games. Nonetheless, he recorded 10.5 sacks and made his fourth Pro Bowl in 2021, his final healthy season.
Bosa has accumulated 67 sacks, 82 tackles for loss, and 143 quarterback hits in his 93 NFL games. In addition, he has three pass defenses and fifteen forced fumbles.
Bosa is set to begin the fourth year of a five-year contract valued at $135 million in 2024.
What Joey Bosa Might Bring to the Defense of the Detroit Lions
The media community has unanimously determined that Detroit’s top need heading into the offseason is a cornerback. But any enhancement to the Lions pass rush would benefit the secondary as well.
In terms of pressure rate, Detroit led the 2023 campaign. However, the team’s record of sacks was not consistent.
“A large portion of the 2023 campaign saw the Lions struggle to get after opposing quarterbacks,” Kay wrote. “For a team that finished in the bottom 10 in that category, Aidan Hutchinson was the only player to record more than five sacks in a single season.”
The Lions finished 2023 with 41 sacks, ranking 23rd despite finishing first or second in pressure rate, hurry percentage, and quarterback knockdown rate.
Among the Lions defenders, Aidan Hutchinson was one of just two who had more than three sacks.
Bosa would provide Detroit with a Pro Bowl caliber edge rusher to complement Hutchinson. Detroit’s front may become among the finest in the NFL over night with Alim McNeill applying pressure from the inside of the Lions defensive line as well.
From 2019 to 21 Bosa was a three-time Pro Bowl player. In addition, he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2017 and was named the 2016 Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.
Are Salary and Injuries a Concern When Purchasing Bosa?
Trading for Bosa would not be risk-free, either.
Due to injuries, Bosa hasn’t performed at a Pro Bowl caliber for a full season since 2021. Because of a groin injury, he missed 12 games in 2022. Due to a foot strain, Bosa had to end the 2023 campaign on injured reserve.
Kay countered that any worries about future injuries to the seasoned defensive tackle should be allayed by Bosa’s on-field performance.
The 28-year-old has missed 19 games in the past two years due to injury, but he has remained incredibly productive while healthy, according to Kay.
Bosa has nine sacks, nine tackles for loss, and fourteen quarterback hits in his last 14 games.
Another barrier for any team that could be interested in signing him is his contract. Bosa has a $32.61 million cap hit for 2024 and a $32.97 million cap hit for 2025, according to Spotrac.
The Chargers would probably need to hold onto Bosa’s contract salary in order for a trade to be feasible. Kay opined that the defensive end might be persuaded to modify his contract in exchange for the chance to play for a team that is a Super Bowl contender.
Although there is no assurance, Detroit should at least take Bosa’s upside into consideration.
