The Detroit Lions must upgrade their defense this offseason, particularly in the secondary and at edge rusher.
The Lions are unlikely to be able to fill all of their demands through free agency, so they will have to look elsewhere for upgrades. The trade market is another place where you can find some veteran options.
Bleacher Report studied each team’s offseason from a trade perspective and identified 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward and Eagles edge rusher Haasan Reddick as potential possibilities for the Lions.
“In an ideal scenario, Detroit would lure a top player away from another NFC contender. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick are both in the final year of their contracts and would be excellent additions to the Lions’ defense.
Ward and Reddick would be expected to have a significant impact on the Lions’ defense. Ward set a career high of five interceptions this season with the 49ers, while also amassing 72 tackles. Reddick has 27 sacks in the last two seasons in Philadelphia.
While it is simple to argue that other top NFC clubs will not be willing to deal impact defenders to the Lions, circumstances can occasionally force that decision.
Brad Holmes offers a thoughtful approach to Detroit Lions’ signings.
Despite having lots of cap room, the Lions may choose to use a large portion of it to support critical upcoming deal extensions. That might leave Holmes seeking to be strategic and innovative, as he vowed entering into the summer.
“It’s one pot, so you’ve got to be very clever with those funds. That’s what makes the league so fantastic. You have to be very strategic about how that amount is divided up, but we will be wise and make the proper decisions. It only slightly modifies the landscape of free agency. Our initial agency had no real money to invest, so we had to be very discriminating in order to discover an Alex Anzalone or a Kalif Raymond. Last year, we had a little more finances and were able to sign Cam Sutton and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. This year will be a little different, but we will be prepared.”
The Lions might still make a significant impact with a move. Adding Ward or Reddick may address a significant need in a bold manner.
