The Detroit Lions head into their Week 5 bye on a two-game winning streak, boasting a 3-1 record, which places them second in the NFC North division.
Despite this success, Dan Campbell’s team has areas to improve. While star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL in sacks with 6.5 through four games, no other Lions pass rusher has more than 1.5 sacks this season.
Overall, the Lions’ defense ranks 22nd in the NFL for average yards allowed per game (349.0) and 30th in passing yards allowed (258.3).
In their Week 5 “NFL Team Needs” roundup, Bleacher Report suggested that the Lions should consider trading for disgruntled New York Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick to bolster their defensive unit.
“Marcus Davenport’s season-ending injury is a significant blow for the Lions, as he was expected to be the defense’s second edge rusher alongside Hutchinson,” B/R’s scouting department noted. “This leaves Detroit lacking depth, so the front office should explore a trade with the Jets.”
Reddick, 30, is currently in a contract holdout with the Jets after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in March. He signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Eagles in 2022 and has a base salary of $14.2 million this season.
According to Spotrac, Detroit has the third-highest salary cap space in the NFL at $40 million, providing the team with the flexibility to acquire Reddick.
“B/R highlighted that while Reddick seeks a contract extension before playing, Davenport is on a one-year deal, making the position a priority for the offseason. This could be an opportunity for the organization to address both immediate and long-term needs simultaneously.”
Reddick has recorded at least 11.0 sacks in each of his last four seasons, whereas the Lions have only had one player, Hutchinson, hit 11.0 sacks or more in a season during that same period, achieving 11.5 last year.
