With a week to go until the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, it’s time for Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes to make a splash. In case you missed it, the Lions are coming off an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
In the Week 7 contest, Aaron Glenn’s defense was exposed at every single level. It failed to stop the run, failed to stop the pass and failed to get a sufficient amount of pressure against Jackson. Ultimately, Detroit was thrashed by Baltimore, allowing a season-high 38 points and 503 yards. Additionally, it permitted 357 of those yards, along with three touchdowns, to Jackson through the air. Simply, it was a performance to forget from Glenn’s unit.
And now, with the deadline rapidly approaching, Holmes & Co. should be looking to provide the Lions with defensive help. If I were Detroit’s third-year general manager, I’d make a concerted effort to upgrade the team’s inconsistent pass-rushing department. And, I’d specifically target EDGE rusher Danielle Hunter, of the divisional rival Minnesota Vikings.
Before you say that the Lions would never strike a deal within the NFC North division, consider this: Detroit has made two trades with Minnesota just over the last year. Related: ‘We Will Be Ready’: Dan Campbell Owns Subpar Performance First, it struck a draft-day trade with the Vikings that landed the organization Jameson Williams at No. 12 overall in the 2022 draft. Second, it facilitated a deal at last year’s deadline that sent Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota.
Therefore, there is precedent for the two entities collaborating to create a trade. The three-time Pro Bowler Hunter, however, may be seeing further resistance from the Vikings. The Vikings defeated Brock Purdy and the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers on Monday, making them victors of their previous two games. They may now believe they have a chance to make a late-season push and the opportunity to pass Detroit for first place in the NFC North as a result. Hunter would make a lot of sense for the Lions, though, if the Vikings still decide to trade him.
