The one player the Lions could trade away during the trade deadline and what they could get back
If anyone on this Lions team is getting traded, it’s probably him
The NFL trade deadline is right around the corner, on Nov. 4. By the time the Detroit Lions get back on the field after their bye week, it’ll be right there.
We’ve spent a lot of time, and we will spend even more time talking about who the Lions could trade for, but what about guys they might trade away? Is there anyone on this team who could get traded? We think there’s one, and that some teams might have interest.
The Lions could trade away defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo at the deadline
Right off the bat, let’s understand what the Lions can get here. This is not a move where Detroit is getting a major return. What you should expect is something more like a 2026 seventh-round pick or that Wingo would potentially be involved in a trade package for another team.
Why is Wingo available? It’s because he’s in a tough spot right now. He just doesn’t seem to fit into what the Lions want to do on defense. Because of that, he’s been a healthy scratch every week since Week 2. Lions head coach Dan Campbell talked about it this week.
“Certainly, getting [Lions DL Alim McNeill] Mac back creates depth,” Campbell said. “And so, between [DJ] Reader and [Roy] Lopez, you’ve got Mac back, [Tyler] Lacy can kind of play some of the three-technique, big-end. It is a little bit of that now that you’ve got all your guys, where exactly does it fit? He can play some three and nose, but we’ve got a lot more versatility now. And then he’s not really special teams, so it just kind of puts him in one of those spots where he just keeps working.
“Just keep working, and doesn’t mean this is done for him or he’s not going to get an opportunity. Those guys know it. I mean, I’m watching (Lions DL) Myles Adams. He had a heck of a practice this week on scout team, and those guys need to know — and I think they understand — we watch it all the time. And you may be — you’re one play away from getting the next guy up. So, Wingo’s in that boat, he keeps practicing, keeps trying to get better, and we’ll just see where it goes. But he’s doing a good job, this is nothing on him, he’s just got to continue to keep working and improve his craft.”
You can tell that the Lions like Wingo, but there’s just no room for him, and he doesn’t fit what the Lions want to do. Plus, since he’s not a special teams guy, he’s unfortunately not adding anything.
Why would another team be interested? Because Wingo is still seen as someone who has a lot of potential. He had a fair amount of eyes on him coming into the draft and was expected to go much higher than he did. If the Lions trade for an edge rusher, another team might welcome the chance to take a draft pick and a bonus of Wingo on that deal.
The Kansas City Chiefs might be a team that has some interest since they now have Matt House on their coaching staff. House was LSU’s defensive coordinator when Wingo was there. They also love defensive linemen like Wingo, who can play big end and do their thing in the middle. That’s just an idea. There might be other teams interested, like the Raiders, who had Wingo out for a top-30 visit.
We’ll see what happens. I’m sure the Lions wouldn’t mind keeping him, but if you’re asking who this team could trade, Wingo is the pick.