As the NFL trade deadline approaches, set for November 5th at 4:00 PM ET, teams are starting to make key roster decisions. Some are reinforcing positions of need for a playoff push, while others are offloading veteran players to collect draft capital and prepare for future seasons. The trade market is heating up, especially with wide receivers, as contenders seek to strengthen their offenses.
Several notable wide receiver trades have already taken place, such as Davante Adams moving from the Raiders to the Jets, followed by Amari Cooper being traded to the Bills. The Kansas City Chiefs also added DeAndre Hopkins in response to injuries to Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Each of these moves reflects how critical bolstering offensive firepower is for teams aiming for a deep playoff run.
The Detroit Lions, currently sitting at 5-1 and atop the NFC North, are among the teams likely to make moves before the trade deadline. Their recent victory over the Minnesota Vikings further cemented their status as one of the league’s top teams, but with the loss of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson due to a season-ending injury, Detroit faces some holes in its defense. Jared Goff has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate, and while the Lions’ offense is thriving, their defense could use reinforcements, especially in the pass rush and cornerback positions.
Without Hutchinson, the Lions’ Super Bowl hopes remain alive, but finding a replacement in the pass rush is now their most urgent need. One potential solution is pursuing a trade for Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders, already in sell mode after trading Davante Adams and facing a three-game losing streak, could be willing to deal Crosby for a substantial haul of draft picks. Crosby is an ironman on defense, rarely missing snaps, and has amassed 33.5 sacks in just 40 games since 2022. Adding a player of his caliber would make Detroit’s defense far more formidable in the absence of Hutchinson.
Other potential targets for the Lions could include Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, although trading for Garrett would likely come at a very high price, given his elite status as a pass rusher. Garrett has consistently produced double-digit sacks and is a five-time All-Pro, making him an expensive trade candidate. If the Lions want a less costly option, they could look at younger, up-and-coming pass rushers like Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants or Josh Uche of the New England Patriots, both of whom could provide a significant boost to the defensive line without requiring a massive trade package.
In addition to bolstering the pass rush, the Lions could also look to upgrade their cornerback depth. While they made strides in the secondary by signing Carlton Davis III and drafting Terrion Arnold, they could still benefit from adding another reliable cornerback to their defense, especially given the team’s aggressive man-coverage scheme. One possible trade target is Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns, who leads the league in pass breakups this season. Ward’s experience and skill set would complement the Lions’ current defensive strategies, and his price tag could be more manageable than acquiring a star pass rusher.
With two weeks left until the deadline, Detroit’s front office has tough decisions to make. Whether they choose to make a blockbuster trade for a star pass rusher or add depth to their secondary, the Lions are likely to be active players in the trade market as they gear up for a postseason run. Their moves in the coming days will shape how they navigate the difficult NFC playoff race and determine if they can maintain their Super Bowl contender status.
