After their pass-rush struggled last season, the Detroit Lions went out and acquired Marcus Davenport in free agency to provide some help to star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. So far, that move has paid dividends.
Davenport had a strong Lions debut in Week 1, tallying six pressures and a sack. And, with Hutchinson and Levi Onwuzurike totaling 11 and five pressures, respectively, the Lions were able to finish with an astounding 27 pressures. Hutchinson and Onwuzurike also had a sack each.
While that’s certainly a promising start for the Lions’ pass-rush, Detroit should continue to consider all options available to them to add to the group during a season in which the team is gunning for a Super Bowl.
One NFL analyst, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, recently named the Lions as a potential trade suitor for disgruntled New York Jets pass-rusher, Haason Reddick.
“With $26.1 million in cap space available, the Cardinals could afford to give Reddick a new contract,” Knox wrote. “The Lions could do the same, and they should be interested in adding a high-end complement opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit’s defense looked solid against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, but with their Super Bowl window just opening, the Lions shouldn’t be afraid to add more difference-makers if the opportunity to do so arises.
The Jets have stated publicly that they do not plan on trading Reddick, nor do they intend on giving him a new contract. It’s possible New York could change one of its stances the longer this drags on, though.
If Reddick does become available via trade, the Lions should absolutely pounce. After all, you can never have enough pass-rushers.
Reddick has been as consistent as they come, with 11 or more sacks in each of the past four seasons. He would provide a major boost to Detroit’s defense, giving it a trio of talented edge rushers to send after opposing quarterbacks.
Sure, it might take an extension to ultimately complete a trade for Reddick, but that’s not something the Lions should balk at. Reddick is set to turn 30 and should have a few more years of high-level play in the tank.
