Beyond the Myles Garrett rumors, there’s another defensive player on the Browns’ roster who could be a logical trade target for the Lions. While Garrett has dominated trade discussions, cornerback Denzel Ward has also sparked speculation about his future if the Browns move Garrett.

However, trading Garrett or Ward would result in a significant amount of dead money unless their contracts are restructured, making these moves unlikely. The Lions could instead consider a trade similar to their acquisition of Za’Darius Smith last season.

The Browns have a defensive player that the Lions showed interest in about a year ago. ESPN’s Ben Solak has predicted the Browns might trade either Ward or cornerback Greg Newsome this offseason.

Although Ward’s contract creates a dead money issue, Newsome, with his $13.37 million fifth-year option for 2025, could be traded without significant financial impact. It’s no surprise to see Newsome ranked No. 7 on Bleacher Report’s post-Super Bowl LIX trade board, and Kristopher Knox also listed the Lions as a potential landing spot.

Newsome’s 2023 season saw a downturn, allowing 9.6 yards per target, a 112.5 passer rating, and a poor 54.0 coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus. However, his performance was far better in 2023 (6.7 yards per target, 74.8 passer rating, 69.9 coverage grade), and he had more success in 2021 and 2022 as well.

The question is whether Newsome struggled last season due to trade rumors and uncertainty about his future, or if he’s still the first-round talent he once was. At 25, many teams will likely be willing to bet on his potential with a fresh start. If the Lions lose Carlton Davis in free agency, they could certainly consider Newsome as a possible trade target due to his skill set and versatility.