NFL Trade Rumors: Detroit Lions Looking for an Edge Rusher at Trade Deadline

The Detroit Lions may have an ace up their sleeve. According to the Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Lions have checked in with "numerous teams" regarding an edge rusher ahead of the NFL's November 5th trade deadline.

The NFL trade deadline is looming and even now, many franchises are still deciding whether to be buyers or sellers.

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Here's what our insider @DMRussini is hearing ⤵️
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 2, 2024

The Detroit Lions lost superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a broken fibula and tibia in October, and they desperately need a replacement along the edge. Hutchinson accounts for 7.5 of their 20.0 total sacks this season and no other player on their roster has more than 2.5.

There have been several edge rushers floated as potential trade targets in recent weeks. Cleveland Browns edge rusher Za'Darius Smith is a veteran pass rusher in the waning years of his career who will be eligible for free agency in 2026. He's a three-time Pro Bowler with 5.0 sacks this season, and his $1.21 million 2024 salary means he should be easy to fit underneath the Lions' salary cap.

New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari has also been linked to several teams. He's in the final year of his rookie contract and has logged an impressive 6.0 sacks over 270 defensive snaps this season. If the Giants don't intend to re-sign him this offseason, he would make sense as a rental for the Lions.

If any team should pounce at this year's trade deadline, it's the Lions. They're scoring an NFL-best 33.4 points per game and their +100 point differential leads the league. They have a very real claim to being the single most dominant team in football this year, and they can't let Hutchinson's injury derail such a promising season. If they can find a team willing to do business, they shouldn't hesitate to make a splash.