Detroit Lions Mailbag: Is there still a chance the Lions pull off a trade for Trey Hendrickson?
It's Detroit Lions rookie mini-camp week, and there's still some hangover from the draft and free agency that Lions fans want to talk about. Let's jump into the questions. That's a really interesting question. I think I have to disagree. Ultimately, I think if we're looking at players outside of Goff and Hutchinson, I have […]
It's Detroit Lions rookie mini-camp week, and there's still some hangover from the draft and free agency that Lions fans want to talk about. Let's jump into the questions.
That's a really interesting question. I think I have to disagree. Ultimately, I think if we're looking at players outside of Goff and Hutchinson, I have to go with Jahmyr Gibbs on offense and Alex Anzalone on defense.
Gibbs controls the entire flow of this offense, in my opinion, and I think the Lions built their roster and coaching staff around that idea. He can just change the game any time, and for a team that sets up the pass with the run, Gibbs keeps defenses honest.
For Anzalone, I have to refer to Detroit Football Network's Justin Rogers on this one.
Stay healthy, that's it. You saw the graph above. This defense was very good in 2024. Even after the Hutchinson injury. They were ranked second in defensive DVOA after Week 12. Then all hell broke loose, and they dipped well below the line.
I know everyone thinks that you have to sack the quarterback, and that's the only way to be successful. That's just not true. Last year, the Lions stopped the run better than just about everyone, and they allowed the second fewest passing touchdowns in the league. They're very good.
People are going to laugh at me, and I might be wrong at the end of the day. I think this guy is starting opposite Aidan Hutchinson by like Week 5. That's how much faith I have in this player, and that's how much faith I have in this situation working out.
I truly believe he winds up being the biggest steal of this draft by any team in the league.
It's over, man. It's just not going to happen. It's partially because the Lions probably don't want to take on a big contract right before they're supposed to go into an offseason that is going to feature a ton of extensions.
More than anything, it's about the Bengals. This is the most stubborn team in the NFL and it's not even close. It was shocking they ever allowed him to seek a trade in the first place. Then we found out why. Hendrickson's camp told the Bengals they'd get a first-round pick for him.
Then the league was basically like "um, no you won't." Now we're at this stalemate where the Bengals are either going to find a way to pay him, or maybe he holds out.
He's really good, but he's 30 years old, and trading a first-round pick for him is just not something any team is going to do.
I don't. First and foremost, you don't trade Stafford, you don't get Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Josh Paschal.
The compensation they got from that trade allowed the Lions to either pick some of these guys or maneuver around to be in a position to pick some of these guys. The Rams got Stafford, and the Lions got a whole new offense.
You take your chance with Stafford, and maybe it works out, but then again, maybe it doesn't. You're building around a completely different player at that point, and you don't have the same assets. It was the right move.
How confident are Brad and Dan that Davenport can be the main piece opposite Hutch all year?
— Lions in Super Bowl LX (@michagain.bsky.social) May 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Like 15%. I don't think the Davenport signing was that big of a deal. If it works out, it's a really nice move by Holmes. If it doesn't, I don't think it changes a thing for this team or their trajectory, and it costs basically nothing.
Ultimately, you hope Davenport stays healthy and has a big year, he's shown to be capable of, but he's been hurt every year of his career, and it's really hard to have any confidence in him.
Will they finally admit that it was a mistake and cut B. Martin?
— Chris (@chrisch383.bsky.social) May 6, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I think this is the one and only time that Holmes may have played himself just a little bit. The athleticism and size are there. You can't argue with that. But it's really hard to see that any team was gunning for this guy in the third round other than the Lions.
With that said, this is going to be a huge summer for him. He's buried deep under Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo, and Pat O'Connor. It's hard not to see him as the odd man out at this point.
