As the Detroit Lions get ready for training camp in July, the edge position is likely to be the main topic of conversation. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report concurs that the Lions have a number of items on their list in this area.
The Lions still need to find a way to acquire depth at the position in addition to negotiating an agreement with Aidan Hutchinson. That might be accomplished by bringing back Za’Darius Smith after severing relations earlier in the year, or it might be accomplished by a far more significant transaction.
“Smith was cut by the Lions this summer. It would be prudent to bring him back or acquire another pass rusher through trade or free agency—Trey Hendrickson is a prominent trade target,” Knox said.
Well, this is a bit of an unpacking. Let’s begin with the potential course of action that Chicago may take.
Before Chicago does, the Lions must acquire the top pass rusher available.
Chicago would most likely go out and sign a player like Jadeveon Clowney, Matt Judon, or Smith. Out of those three, Clowney might be the best option in terms of recent production.
If so, Detroit ought to go ahead and make that move before the Bears do. It’s quite easy.
Now, everything would be different if there was a real likelihood that the Bengals would deal Trey Hendrickson to the Lions. It would be ideal for the Lions defense to have Hendrickson and Hutchinson on the team.
In what scenario might the Bears acquire Hendrickson through a trade? The only position they still lack is an edge rusher, so that’s a frightening notion.
Hendrickson and Hutchinson both want a new contract, which makes Detroit an intriguing place. A significant amount of the Lions’ money, which has already given Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown large contracts, would be needed to sign both of those elite pass rushers to new contracts.
Here, the Lions bringing back a player like Smith is the most likely scenario. The Lions will hopefully have an advantage if Clowney and Judon sign with a team other than Chicago.