The Detroit Lions enter their Week 5 bye on a two-game winning streak with a 3-1 record, good for second place in the NFC North division. However, Dan Campbell’s squad still has room for improvement.
While star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL in sacks (6.5) through four games, no other Detroit pass rusher has more than 1.5 sacks this season.
The Lions’ defense currently sits at 22nd in the NFL for average yards allowed per game (349.0) and 30th for passing yards allowed (258.3).
In its Week 5 “NFL Team Needs” analysis, Bleacher Report suggested that Detroit should consider trading for disgruntled New York Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick to help improve their defensive issues.
“Marcus Davenport is sidelined for the season, a significant blow for the Lions since he was expected to serve as the second edge rusher and alleviate some pressure from Aidan Hutchinson,” noted Bleacher Report’s scouting department. “This leaves the team lacking depth, so the front office should explore the possibility of trading with the Jets.”
Reddick, 30, is currently in a contract holdout with the Jets and has yet to play a game since being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in March. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Eagles in 2022 and has a base salary of $14.2 million for this season. According to Spotrac, Detroit has the third-highest salary cap space in the NFL at $40 million, providing them with the flexibility to acquire Reddick.
“While Reddick is seeking a contract extension before taking the field, Davenport is only on a one-year deal, so the position will need addressing in the offseason anyway,” Bleacher Report noted. “This could be a win-win for the organization, allowing them to fill both an immediate and long-term need.” Reddick has recorded at least 11.0 sacks in each of the last four seasons, while the Lions have had just one player reach 11.0 sacks in a single season during that period: Hutchinson, with 11.5 last year.
