Here we are: the NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday at 4:00 PM ET. By that time, we’re going to know whether or not Brad Holmes and the Lions were able to get something done.

Before we get there, we wanted to put together a list of players we believe are firmly in play for the Lions. We’re not going crazy here; these will be good players and players who have been career starters. Some of them have Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections under their belts, but if you’re expecting some insane blockbuster trade, you’re very likely to be disappointed because nobody is really selling that kind of player right now. That’s not to say that things can change there, but temper your expectations on that to the lowest degree.

We’re also going to include a list of players that we have heard the Lions have called about. That list does not mean the Lions are going to trade for those players or that they will wind up with them. It does provide us with a group of players they have thought about making a move for and maybe they will land.

Without further ado, here’s our list of guys that should be available for the Lions:

Cornerback

Charvarius Ward

We talked about guys who are former Pro Bowlers and All-Pros; Ward is one of those guys. His play has not really dipped; he just had one insanely good year, and the rest have been steady. He brings a career of starting on the outside and is someone who has a lot of experience playing man. He’s on the older side and is more likely to be a one-year rental, but he is under contract for 2027 if Detroit did want to hold onto him.

Riq Woolen

Woolen is the top draw for the Lions this year. If there were a perfect fit, in my opinion, it’s Woolen. He is very good in man coverage. He also brings a size of 6-foot-2 that the Lions just don’t have in the room right now. A guy his size, with the speed that he has and the athleticism he brings, is a bit rare at the corner position. Ultimately, if the Lions were to get this one done, it’s likely to be the most expensive corner trade they could make. It would probably take a third-rounder to get it done.

Juju Brents

Brents would be a super cheap option for a starter, but you’re not getting a scrub here. You’re getting a pretty decent starting cornerback who isn’t going to light up the world, but will simply do his job. There is the slightest bit of lockdown ability to him, in the sense that teams are just not throwing his way a lot. When they do, they have some success, but not a lot. This one kind of feels like the most realistic move.

Donte Jackson

Jackson is the oldest guy on the list, but he’s a veteran outside corner who would give the Lions another experienced option across from D.J. Reed. He has the speed to run with receivers downfield and has shown he can take the ball away, which is something Detroit could use more of. There are some injury concerns to work through, but if he’s healthy, the Lions could probably get him for a seventh-rounder.

Safety

Budda Baker

Baker is the big name here, and it’s easy to see why teams would be interested. He’s a physical safety who can move around the defense, come downhill against the run, and bring some leadership to the secondary. Still, this one feels less likely to me because of the Lions’ current safety situation. With Brian Branch back and Keith Abney taking on a bigger role, Chuck Clark playing well, and a potential Kerby Joseph return on the horizon. But he appears to be available. We’ll see.

Linebacker

Zack Baun

This is as close to a blockbuster as you can get. An All-Pro linebacker who can help against the run, work in coverage, and get after the quarterback when asked. That versatility would give Kelvin Sheppard a lot to work with, especially with the Lions needing answers at linebacker. I’d certainly make the call, but Philadelphia would have to give up a major piece of its defense, so I wouldn’t assume he’s available just because the Eagles are struggling, but there have been some talks that they may entertain a trade for the 29-year-old, coming to the more expensive part of his deal in 2027.

Jordyn Brooks

Brooks would be a pretty significant addition for a Lions linebacker room that suddenly has a lot of uncertainty. He’s an experienced, productive linebacker who can get across the field and pile up tackles, and he has experience handling a major role in the middle of a defense. That’s worth looking at with Jack Campbell’s status uncertain. The question is whether Miami would actually let one of its veteran leaders go, because this probably isn’t a move the Lions could make by throwing out a late-round pick. They’re going to want something big if the rumors that they’d be willing to part are true.

Daiyan Henley

Henley is one of the more interesting fits to me because of the athleticism he would bring to the Lions’ linebacker room. He played receiver and safety before settling in at linebacker, and that background shows up in his ability to move around and work in coverage. Detroit could use someone who can run with backs and help take away throws over the middle. There would still be an adjustment to a new defense, but Henley has the tools to help in an area the Lions need to improve.

Players we’ve heard the Lions have called on

I just want to reiterate that these are things that we have heard, and this does not indicate that these players are top targets for the Lions or that these are trades they’re 100% going to get done. It could be nothing more than they called to get a price check and then never called again. It does not mean they attempted to even make a trade.

• Charvarius Ward: I’ve been told the Lions have already called on Ward. This one makes a ton of sense for Detroit; we’ll see if both sides can come to some sort of agreement.
• Josh Sweat: I’ve been told the Lions were one of many teams that showed some interest in Sweat. This addition could push the Lions’ defensive line to the top of the league, but reports indicate that Arizona has been maybe more inclined to keep him in recent days.
• Tony Pollard: When the Titans sold off Jeffrey Simmons, I was told they called about Pollard. After Sione Vaki’s performance against the Vikings, I think they probably backed out on this idea.