By Blessing 
Detroit Lions Eye Big Trade Moves Ahead of NFL Deadline
The Detroit Lions are increasingly being seen as one of the NFL teams most likely to pursue a pass rusher before the trade deadline, and there’s growing speculation they might target two high-profile options.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell outlined several trades on Thursday, October 16, that “make sense,” with two of those scenarios involving Detroit making a significant move to bolster their pass-rushing unit.
The first proposal would have the Lions trade a second-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for defensive end Trey Hendrickson, along with a fourth-round pick, in what Barnwell described as the team’s “all-in move.”
Barnwell explained, “The Lions have one superstar up front in Aidan Hutchinson, but they’ve never really landed that second one. Furthermore, the Lions are dealing with a secondary that’s already battered by injuries. Free agent addition D.J. Reed (hamstring) is on injured reserve, while Terrion Arnold narrowly avoided a multi-month shoulder injury.”
He added, “One way to help that secondary is to have a more efficient pass rush, especially without needing to blitz.”
Potential Value in Jaelan Phillips Trade
Barnwell also suggested a second trade scenario: the Lions could send a fourth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and a seventh-round pick.
“I’m arguing that the Lions should go all-in. This team experienced what it was like to lose Hutchinson and virtually every one of its other ambulatory pass rushers last season,” Barnwell said. “Its secondary is battling injuries. No team has ever made it into January and complained that it had too many pass rushers.”
Phillips has struggled with serious injuries in the past, including an ACL and an Achilles tendon. However, when healthy, he’s proven to be an above-average edge rusher. Barnwell highlighted, “His 14.5% pressure rate and 6.8% quick pressure rate, both per Next Gen Stats, are well above league average for edge rushers with 100 or more snaps this season. Phillips’ average pressure comes after just 2.6 seconds, the seventh-fastest rate among that cohort.”
Contract and Salary Considerations
The Lions currently have just over $25 million in salary cap space, giving them room to make one or two major moves without jeopardizing financial flexibility. They could pursue both players without committing long-term to each.
Hendrickson would likely be the priority for a long-term deal since acquiring him costs a second-round pick, and his market value is projected at nearly $35 million annually over four years, according to Spotrac. Pairing Hutchinson and Hendrickson could create a dominant defensive front in Detroit for years, with Hutchinson also approaching an extension and expected to earn a significant contract.
Phillips, meanwhile, would be a more affordable option, allowing the Lions to potentially structure a short-term deal with a moderate salary given his injury history and lack of extensive production this season.
Barnwell suggested that Phillips could also serve as a one-year rental, giving Detroit additional pass-rushing help while they chase another Super Bowl appearance for the third straight postseason.
What This Means for Detroit
The Lions have clearly positioned themselves to be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline, aiming to strengthen a pass rush that could offset injuries in their secondary. Acquiring Hendrickson would provide a potential long-term cornerstone alongside Hutchinson, while Phillips offers a lower-risk, high-reward option to boost immediate playoff chances.
If both moves were made, Detroit’s defensive front could become one of the league’s most formidable units, putting pressure on quarterbacks and giving their secondary a much-needed boost. With the salary cap allowing some flexibility, fans can expect the Lions to seriously explore these
possibilities in the coming weeks.