After falling short of their Super Bowl aspirations in 2024, the Detroit Lions are looking to make significant upgrades to their roster for 2025. With the offense set, the focus now shifts to strengthening the defense—specifically the pass-rush. While Aidan Hutchinson is set to return from injury, the Lions need to address the lack of depth across from him on the defensive line.
A proposed trade with the Las Vegas Raiders could provide just the boost Detroit needs. In this hypothetical deal, the Lions would send two first-round picks and young quarterback Hendon Hooker to the Raiders in exchange for Maxx Crosby, a four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher. The trade would also include a 2025 fifth-round pick for Detroit.
Crosby, a Michigan native and former Eastern Michigan standout, would join Hutchinson to form one of the NFL’s most dynamic defensive line duos. The addition of Crosby would instantly upgrade the Lions’ defense and provide the consistency in the pass-rush that they’ve been lacking.
For the Raiders, the trade would help with long-term rebuilding, particularly with Hooker potentially providing a future solution at quarterback. While the price is high, the move could put the Lions in “win-now” mode, potentially making them Super Bowl contenders in 2025.
The big question remains: would the Raiders part with Crosby? If so, the Lions could make a huge leap in their quest for a championship.