Superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett has officially submitted his trade request to the Cleveland Browns. Now, NFL teams will compete for the chance to acquire one of the league’s top defensive game-changers. Among the front-runners in this race are the Detroit Lions, who must offer this package to the Browns.

The Lions must offer two draft picks to the Browns in a Myles Garrett trade Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after a sack during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field.

Browns receive: 2024 second-round pick and 2025 third-round pick

Lions receive: Myles Garrett

Before diving into the trade details, let’s explore why the Lions would want to make a strong bid to secure Garrett.

The Lions were arguably the NFL’s best team for much of the regular season until injuries and issues with Jared Goff at quarterback took their toll. Since they aren’t likely to fix the QB situation this offseason, enhancing the roster’s overall talent and depth should be their priority.

Before Aidan Hutchinson suffered an injury, the third-year defensive end had recorded 7.5 sacks in five games and was a top contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Losing him had a significant impact, as the Lions struggled to generate pressure on quarterbacks after that.

Bringing in Garrett would have helped cover that loss, but more importantly, a Hutchinson-Garrett duo would form the NFL’s most dominant pass-rush.

Ranking the best landing spots for Myles Garrett after his trade request With the Lions’ current setup, which includes a solid but unremarkable Goff at quarterback, a formidable defense would elevate their Super Bowl chances, especially if Goff struggles with interceptions again, as he did in the loss to the Washington Commanders.

So, as landing Garrett becomes crucial for the Lions to advance their Super Bowl aspirations, the next question is, what’s the ideal offer?

Looking at recent NFL trades for top-tier pass rushers, the New York Giants acquired Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a fifth-round pick swap. Previously, the New York Jets acquired Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional third-round pick that could’ve turned into a second-rounder.

While these trades are relevant, Garrett is a superior player to Burns and Reddick, meaning the Lions will need to offer more. That said, with Garrett’s trade request, the Browns lose some leverage, meaning the Lions shouldn’t need to part with a first-round pick.

By offering a second-round pick this year and a third-round pick next year, the Browns receive the best return for any premier pass-rusher in recent years, plus two valuable Day 2 picks to aid their rebuilding process. The reason the second pick is a third-rounder, and not a fourth, is that the Lions want to make an exceptional offer to outbid other teams. Since Detroit picks late in both rounds, they need to offer a premium.

Another factor working in Detroit’s favor is that they play in the NFC, so if the Browns trade Garrett, they won’t face him as often as they would if they traded him to an AFC team.

All of this points to the fact that Myles Garrett should be heading to the Lions in a trade if Detroit makes the right move.