Detroit Lions: Making the Case for One Significant Trade
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions need to solidify their offensive line. It would be awesome to add a young player like Miami’s Fitzpatrick who can play safety or corner, but Trent Williams should remain the primary target right now.
The Detroit Lions defense is already a stout group. Adding Minkah Fitzpatrick would indeed fill a need in the secondary, but he’s a true safety that plays plenty of slot corner. The Lions could use an upgrade to Rashaan Melvin, opposite Darius Slay. Melvin is ok, Fitzpatrick is dynamic but not a primary outside corner.
The Lions would likely leave Quantre Diggs at safety if Fitzpatrick were added to this defense, playing Fitzpatrick primarily at corner. In Matt Patricia’s defense, he expects his corners to play man to man. It’s a defense that put a lot of pressure on his corners to continually win the battle against the talented wide-outs throughout the league.
The Miami Dolphins are an absolute mess. Head coach Brian Flores mentioned his team isn’t in ‘tank’ mode, yet they recently traded away their star left-tackle Leremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans. Tunsil is a player you want to build your offensive line around. He’s one of the better left tackles in the game, yet they moved him along with Kenny Stills for a pair of first-round picks and a second-rounder just before the start of the regular season.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
That’s setting the bar high. Regardless of what Brian Flores says, that is signaling a rebuild. For a team expected to draft a quarterback first overall next spring at the NFL Draft, you’d think they’d want a franchise LT in place…
The organization has granted Minkah Fitzpatrick permission to seek a trade. Fitzpatrick, a 22-year old hybrid, entered the league as a safety but has spent a lot of time playing as a slot corner. After last weeks defensive let down, especially with Larry Fitzgerald beating Justin Coleman out of the slot to force overtime fans may want to jump at the thought of adding the Phins playmaker.
In my opinion, the Lions should pursue veteran left tackle Trent Williams first. He fills a void on the offensive line that appears to be a weakness on offense. Playing in the NFC North, the Lions face premier pass-rushers often. You need a LT you can trust matching up one on one allowing a tight end to help the right tackle. The offense can’t keep two tight ends in on third down as they are trying to convert.
Taylor Decker struggled mightily in week one. He’s battling a bad back, which is worrisome. Decker has a history of struggling to remain healthy. Backs can be tricky, and I’d be lying if I didn’t mention I am worried about it. His backup is Tyrell Crosby who looked flat out terrible during the preseason. If he’s expected to protect Matthew Stafford‘s blindside, OC Darrell Bevell better be calling a plethora of play calls that only require a three-step drop assuring Matt gets the ball out before the pressure gets home. If Crosby is the starting LT, the pressure will become a common theme.
If Williams isn’t available or the Detroit Lions can’t seem to agree upon a deal, they should ask the Miami Dolphins for corner Xavien Howard. He’s a shutdown corner that does primarily play on the outside. It would likely take a first-round pick plus to obtain his services. Teams hate to give up their first-round picks, but I’m confident the franchise wouldn’t draft a player nearly as talented as Howard in the draft.
Next. Ranking the Starting Quarterbacks of the NFC North. dark
It would probably take a first and second-round pick but imagine Howard opposite Slay, with that defensive line. The Lions would have the opportunity to own the leagues best secondary and one of the top defensive lines’ in the NFL.