The NFL’s trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Bob Quinn and the Detroit Lions were buyers last week in picking up DE Everson Griffen from the Dallas Cowboys.
But that was before an ugly loss to the Indianapolis Colts that killed any positive momentum. Now the team is 3-4 and facing the prospect of playing the next few games without the best weapon on offense (WR Kenny Golladay) and best player on the defense (DE Trey Flowers).
If Quinn and the Lions decide to be sellers before the deadline, there isn’t a lot to take to market. With Golladay — the No. 1 name other teams will call about — out for at least a week with a vague hip injury, his trade value takes a hit.
Here are some other Lions who could get moved if the team decides it’s better off with the return compensation than the player himself.
Marvin Jones: The 30-year-old WR has fallen off in 2020 but still makes for a solid No. 2 WR on the outside. He’s entering the final months of his contract with the Lions. A contender could flip a late-round pick to rent Jones for eight games and a potential playoff run. Even if he leaves, Jones would be a candidate to return to Detroit in the offseason — provided he doesn’t retire.
Will Harris: In his second season, the 2019 third-round pick has played his way out of the rotation. With Jayron Kearse playing significantly better in the same role and with no tangible improvement to his game after a bad rookie season, the Lions could try to sell off Harris with the idea he’s the defensive version of Travis Fulgham.
Kerryon Johnson: D’Andre Swift has taken over as the top dog in the backfield, and Adrian Peterson also continues to get more reps than Johnson. The team has enviable depth at RB and could part with Johnson to try and fill more glaring holes on the roster elsewhere. Shopping Peterson and his declining yards per carry also makes sense.
Joe Dahl: Detroit’s starting guard has played decently enough, but the team has fourth-round rookie Logan Stenberg waiting in the wings. If they’re looking to see if Stenberg can be the future, it makes sense to shop Dahl to one of the many OL-needy teams.
Matthew Stafford: Now is not the time to trade, or trade for, Stafford. I suspect teams will call and inquire, but it is more about planting possible seeds for after the season.
I don’t expect any moves of significance, but with a new owner in place it’s hard to predict the timbre of the team.
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