While injuries are the worst part of the game, sometimes they can be a blessing in disguise. They can force a team to change its approach and plans in a good way, and the Detroit Lions might be dealing with that situation right now.
The Lions wanted Cade Mays to replace veteran center Frank Ragnow after his retirement. They gave him a three-year, $25 million contract to lure him away from the Carolina Panthers, but a wrist injury late in training camp forced him to miss most of the start of the season.
Now, with an ankle injury costing him time in Week 8 and Juice Scruggs playing great in his absence, the Lions should at least consider changing their plans at center. If there's a market for Mays, they should pull the trigger.
The Detroit Lions should field the trade market for Cade Mays
Multiple teams could use a center. That includes the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, and while trading Mays to an NFC North team wouldn't make much sense, perhaps they'd be willing to overpay for his services.
They don't even need to do that, though. The Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and maybe even his former team, the Panthers, could be interested in Mays if the Lions were to make him available at the November 10 trade deadline.
Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean the Lions should actively look to move him at all costs, but if the price makes sense, why not? They've already found a cheaper solution who's looked like a natural fit in Drew Petzing's offense.
The Lions' new-look offensive line has plenty of options in the interior, so there's no clear path for Scruggs to get on the field unless it's at center. They won't bench Tate Ratledge or Christian Mahoganey.
General manager Brad Holmes should be working the phones to get some help at cornerback and perhaps also at defensive end. They likely won't get that much for a center, even a young one on a three-year deal, especially given his recent injuries, but they can use whatever they get to find help on defense.
This wasn't supposed to be the plan, but it was a happy accident of sorts, and the best type of problem to have. With the way Scruggs has played for most of the season, benching him or trading him away would essentially be a disservice.
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