The NFL Scouting Combine is upon us which means every general manager from every team will be in the same hotel and stadium all week long. Free agency negotiations are always quietly started here but so are trade talks. For the Lions, several players are rumored to be on the market.
Brad Holmes and this front office have shown to be aggressive in the draft but not as much in the trade market. Of course, they came to Detroit and had to deal with the Matthew Stafford situation but they got a haul back as well as Jared Goff. Holmes can pull off great trades, the way this roster is built it may be time for another one.
Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
The most explosive player on the list is the one we start with. Jaylen Waddle has had his name rumbled about in trade rumors but his price tag may be too much for Brad Holmes to pay. If he did, however, Waddle has number-one receiver potential, and with him being alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, it could give the Lions the best young receiving group in the league.
It does seem very unlikely the Waddle trade rumors are valid, however.
Khalil Mack, Edge Rusher, Los Angeles Chargers
The cheapest trade target of this entire list may be Khalil Mack, which happens to make him the best value. Mack has shown he has plenty of gas in the tank left and his veteran presence would be perfect on the defensive line opposite Aidan Hutchison.
Budda Baker, Safety, Arizona Cardinals
Budda Baker is a Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes type of player. He plays no matter what his health is, he overcomes every obstacle, and most importantly he is a locker room leader. Baker has a great eye for finding the ball and forcing turnovers which is what this defense needs an infusion of. On the field or off of it, Baker is the guy Detroit should make the strongest push for.
Justin Simmons, Safety, Denver Broncos
The Broncos are in such a weird spot in terms of their roster and the construction of it all. They could trade several of their big stars as they look at a potential rebuild and Simmons could be one of them. One of the better safeties in the league, Simmons makes a difference in both the run and pass game which this defense needs right now out of the secondary.
Haason Reddick, Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
The linebacking group is solid now with Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone. They could use some more of pass rush ability and that is where Reddick can help out. He has 50 sacks in the last four years and has shown he can produce in various systems. If the Eagles decide to move on, Holmes should attempt to get him.