Detroit Lions Mailbag: Would the Lions trade five draft picks for Maxx Crosby?
How much would the Lions give up for Maxx Crosby?
The Super Bowl is over, and now we have to hope the Detroit Pistons can make everyone happy. Until then, let’s answer some Detroit Lions questions.
Would the Lions trade five draft picks for Maxx Crosby?
I do not. For two different reasons. The first is that the Raiders are out of their minds if they think they’re getting a Micah Parsons-like haul or more for Crosby. It’s not happening. Any team that does trade five years worth of draft picks for a guy who won’t be there in five years deserves the bad years they’re going to get for it.
The other thing is that I don’t think the Raiders are trading Crosby. I think this is all drummed up by one guy in the media saying something. Then, some not-so-trustworthy guys have built stuff off that. Last week, Crosby was at the Raiders facility in full Raiders gear, telling Colin Cowherd how he doesn’t know where any of this stuff came from.
Now, if the Lions were to do this trade, it would probably be a lot less than five picks. It would probably be two to three picks, with one of them being a first-rounder. Like a first, second, and third. That is more than fair for a 29-year-old edge with a franchise-changing contract.
What is the Lions’ top free agent focus?
It’s center. There is nothing more important than finding the man in the middle. This team needs to get a guy who is a day-one starter and preferably one who could be in Detroit for more than just a couple of seasons.
I know Lions fans want Tyler Linderbaum, but that’s very unlikely. Connor McGovern or Cade Mays is a little more possible. Any one of these three would be great for the Lions.
When can the Lions start trying to trade?
NFL teams can agree on a trade in principle right now, but the trade cannot be made official until March 11th, when the new league year starts. So it’s just a handshake deal, and both teams have to hope for a month that the other won’t pull out on the deal.
As far as the c tag, I’m not totally sure what you’re asking here, but it’s how centers will show up on mock drafts and draft profiles. A lot of writers like to use IOL (interior offensive linemen). I just like to say center personally.
What is the plan at return man in 2026?
As you mentioned, Kalif Raymond is a free agent now. I don’t think the Lions bring him back, and the reason for that is Dominic Lovett. The Lions took him in the seventh-round of last year’s draft, and this is exactly the role he was made for. A gunner on kickoffs and a punt or kick returner on the other side.
As far as contributing to the offense, that’s kind of the side of Lovett we haven’t got to see as much as you did with Raymond. He made some plays in the preseason, but he should have a better summer this year.
Who could be leaving the Lions?
I don’t see any bombshell moves as far as the Lions losing players go. They don’t really have anyone who could be in that cap casualty department this year. Brock Wright is really the only guy who comes to mind as a release that could be surprising.
Other than that, I don’t see Alex Anzalone, DJ Reader, Amik Robertson, Taylor Decker, and Graham Glasgow playing for the Lions in 2026. I think they look to get younger at all these spots.