The Detroit Lions enter the 2025 NFL Draft in a good spot. Coming off a pair of highly successful seasons, the Lions don’t have a lot of needs and can afford to take the best player available when they’re on the clock with the 28th overall pick.
While fans would be happy if the Lions used that selection on an edge rusher or an offensive lineman, there’s also the chance that Brad Holmes has something bigger in mind. In previous years, that mean trading up for Jameson Williams or Jahmyr Gibbs. But this season it could be a blockbuster trade for an established record.
With the days ticking away, there’s a clear name the Lions should pursue and it could lead to the big trade that nobody sees coming when the draft begins.
Lions Should Make Blockbuster Trade for Trey Hendrickson
The Lions have been rumored to be looking for a star edge rusher this offseason and the last name on the board is Trey Hendrickson. A longtime member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Hendrickson is one of the league’s top edge rushers, leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks and earning his first All-Pro selection in 2024.
Hendrickson has also proven to be more than a flash in the pan. Only T.J. Watt (73.5) and Myles Garrett (72.0) have more sacks than Hendrickson’s 70.5 sacks dating back to 2020 and no player has more than 60 sacks during that timeframe. The next closest player is San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa, who has 53.5 sacks dating back to Hendrickson’s final year with the New Orleans Saints.
The Bengals are trying to extend the 30-year-old but have run into difficulties after signing Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to big contracts this offseason. With Hendrickson’s value at his peak, it may be time to cash in for future assets to build around Joe Burrow and his top receivers and the Lions should be the first in line.
Aidan Hutchinson is running at full speed as he recovers from his broken leg suffered last October. But while Za’Darius Smith has lingered around Detroit, there’s no sign that a reunion is imminent after Detroit released him over a $2 million roster bonus earlier this season. While Hendrickson could slot in, he would also require a top-of-the-market deal to secure his services, which would be tough with Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph due for new contracts in the coming months.
But the Lions are on the cusp of their first Super Bowl appearance and now may be the time to push the chips to the table. While they could find a gem in the draft, Hutchinson is a proven commodity and be the piece that puts Detroit over the top.