NFL network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter are reporting that the Detroit Lions are trading a conditional 6th round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive end Everson Griffen.
The Lions have refocused their approach on defense and are now leaning on more defensive linemen to stunt the run and open up the pass rush — and it’s working.
Since the bye week, that has meant more time with versatile defensive linemen on the field and a sudden need for big bodies who can lineup at multiple spots and rush the passer.
Enter Everson Griffen.
Trey Flowers and Romeo Okwara are thriving on the EDGE but with Julian Okwara on injured reserve and Austin Bryant still working his way back from the PUP list, the Lions were painfully weak on depth. Griffen instantly corrects that.
Griffen has always been a menace when playing against the Lions and now the Lions are getting an opportunity to unleash him on someone else. He has the ability to play all along the defensive line similar to how Flowers and Okwara are used.
Griffen is a natural fit in the Lions scheme, and while he will probably only be asked to play a pass-rushing role early as he acclimates, he is coming to Detroit at a time when the team is on the rise — winning three of the last four games and entering a stretch of very winnable games.
Buckle up Lions fans, they’re making a run at this.