NFL Insider projects the Lions trade for a former third-round edge rusher ahead of the season

Does it make a ton of sense, though?

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Jun 10, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) does a drill during minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Has anyone else noticed that there’s been a lot of trades happening in the NFL right now? It seems like the league got together and decided that the best thing they could do was trade some of these decent players that aren’t going to make their 53-man roster, but still hold a lot of value.

ESPN’s NFL insider Bill Barnwell has the Lions making one of those trades with the New England Patriots. He’s projecting that they could send the Patriots a 2026 sixth-round pick for edge rusher Afernee Jennings and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Here’s his reasoning:

“There was a time when New England once looted the Lions for a talented, two-way linebacker who didn’t fit their system and landed an underrated player in Kyle Van Noy. The Lions are here to get their revenge. A former third-round pick by previous Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Jennings is a stout run defender on the edge who had nine quarterback knockdowns last season across 831 defensive snaps. He isn’t a great pass rusher, but he can still be a valuable part of a roster as an early-down edge defender.

Jennings is owed $2.5 million in 2025, about half of which is guaranteed. He doesn’t appear to be in new coach Mike Vrabel’s plans, but I like him as a fit in Detroit, where the Lions could stand to add a little more edge depth. Josh Paschal is expected to miss the first month of the season, and they can’t be sure of what they’ll get from Marcus Davenport, who has been limited to just six games over the past two seasons because of injuries. Jennings would be a reasonable backup end for the Lions with the potential to play more if needed. The cost — a swap of late-round picks — wouldn’t be prohibitive.”

It’s not a bad trade, but it’s not one that’s totally needed at this time. Despite what people will tell you, the Lions are in a pretty good place on the edge right now, beyond Hutchinson and Davenport. Obviously, it could be better, but Al-Quadin Muhammad has looked good this summer, and so has Nate Lynn. On top of that, there’s a strong reason to believe that the Lions could get Za’Darius Smith back soon.

Plus, the Lions have strong run stoppers all over this team. What they need are pass rushers, and as Barnwell notes, Jennings is not that. So the fit doesn’t make a ton of sense. The Lions may be better off finding some injury relief in free agency once players clear waivers after being cut.

Related Articles