Heading into the November 4 trade deadline, the Detroit Lions don’t appear to have many glaring weaknesses. Their roster depth has shined despite multiple injuries on defense, and their offense has remained among the league’s most efficient. A commanding Week 7 victory over the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed that Detroit has all the tools necessary for a legitimate Super Bowl run.
Still, even top-tier teams can benefit from midseason upgrades. The NFL is an arms race, and as rivals look to strengthen their rosters, standing pat could mean falling behind. The Lions’ front office would be wise to keep exploring ways to improve — especially when it comes to their pass rush, where extra depth can be the difference in a playoff game.
Detroit’s defensive front has exceeded early expectations, led by breakout performer Al-Quadin Muhammad and the ever-dominant Aidan Hutchinson. Yet, beyond those two, the rotation thins out quickly. If GM Brad Holmes wants to ensure the Lions maintain their edge through the stretch run, adding another capable pass rusher should be a top priority.
Why Jaelan Phillips Makes Perfect Sense for Detroit
One name stands out among potential trade options — Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins. While stars like Trey Hendrickson could also be on the market, Detroit doesn’t need a blockbuster deal that drains future draft assets. A move for Phillips represents the smarter, value-driven approach.
The 26-year-old edge defender is playing out the final year of his rookie contract, and with Miami entering what looks like a rebuilding phase, the team could look to move him before the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency. Trading Phillips now would allow the Dolphins to collect valuable assets while clearing future cap space.
For the Lions, that situation creates a window of opportunity. Because of Phillips’ injury history — a torn Achilles two seasons ago and a knee issue that sidelined him last year — his trade cost would likely be much lower than that of elite pass rushers. Despite those setbacks, he’s returned to form this season, appearing in over 70% of Miami’s defensive snaps.
Through seven games, Phillips has notched 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, and 4 quarterback hits, while earning an impressive 79.7 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus — the second-highest of his career. Within Detroit’s system, that would make him the team’s second-best edge threat, trailing only Hutchinson.
Final Take
Whether or not the Lions ultimately make a move depends on the asking price, but few players fit Detroit’s needs better than Jaelan Phillips. His combination of affordability, upside, and proven production makes him a near-perfect addition for a franchise looking to solidify its championship aspirations.
If Brad Holmes truly wants to give Dan Campbell every weapon possible for a deep playoff push, this is the deal that could push the Lions’ defense from dangerous to downright dominant.
