The rumors about the Detroit Lions wanting a high end corner continue to fly around. First ESPN reported that they were hearing the Lions were going to be aggressive about finding a high end corner during the 2024 NFL Combine and that they would consider the Lions in on Chiefs corner L’Jarius Sneed.
Now USA Today is reporting a source close to the Sneed situation has told them that the Lions have expressed interest in being a trade partner with the Chiefs to bring Sneed to Detroit. The report also states that the Vikings, Colts, Titans, Patriots, Falcons and Jaguars have also expressed interest.
Expressing interest is likely just the first step. There’s a ways to go from expressing interest to getting a deal done. At the end of the day it’s likely to depend on what the Chiefs see as a fair offer.
For what it’s worth, no cornerback has been traded for more than a third-round pick since Jalen Ramsey in 2019. Multiple top corners have been moved for a third or less since then including Ramsey again last year when he was sent to the Dolphins for third and tight end Hunter Long.
The Lions should be able to get a deal done for Sneed by trading away the high third-round pick they got from the Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson trade. Worst case scenario is that they may have to add a late round pick from either this draft or next years. I don’t see it being more than that and I think the third is plenty.
We’ll see in the coming weeks, but if a Sneed trade happens, it could happen pretty early into next week when the Chiefs may be looking to clear some cap space to take a shot at some free agents. Eventually we’re going to find out how real this interest is.