Lions have new obvious trade target ahead of NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is getting closer and closer, but that doesn't mean the next 24 hours are going to be very quiet for the Detroit Lions. Teams are going to shift and scramble before/during the draft to maneuver as much as possible to get the most out of their picks and players for the next […]
The NFL Draft is getting closer and closer, but that doesn't mean the next 24 hours are going to be very quiet for the Detroit Lions.
Teams are going to shift and scramble before/during the draft to maneuver as much as possible to get the most out of their picks and players for the next season.
The Lions are one of those teams that have the roster ready to win, so it stands to reason that rookies won't be the only players coming to the team over the next few days.
Perhaps a trade could be on the board for the team that is starting to gain a lot of traction as a legitimate threat to make a deep run in the playoffs. Why not trade for a pass rusher that is only a few years removed from Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Chase Young may not officially be on the trade block yet, but a move like this can't be great for the relationship between the player and the team. The Commanders have made it clear that Young's future isn't certain in Washington, so they may be open to a trade if the price is right.
The Lions have the money and the capital to make a move like this work. They should absolutely make a run at Young, even if he isn't coming off his best stretch of football due to various injuries.
Chase Young hasn't played much after his rookie season where he gained a huge amount of recognition as one of the top young pass-rushers in the league. Twelve games in two years doesn't look great, but that might work in favor of the Lions and trade compensation, especially if they believe Young is past the worst of what has kept him off the field.
If the Lions could get Chase Young with one of their many picks, give him a year to show what he can do, and find a more proven player than the edge options at the sixth pick, how could fans from Detroit say no to a guy that would help their defense greatly?
The Commanders would be able to throw a wrench into this plan by asking for a valuable pick that may make the Lions reconsider rolling the dice with one of their top selections, but even a better pick makes sense if the Lions want experience and a player that still has mountains of upside.
It is at least worth making the call. If winning in 2023 is the goal, trading for proven players is always going to outweigh the gamble of the draft.
