CBS Sports: Evaluate the trade proposal, Lions make blockbuster move for young edge rusher
Although this move could be a little extreme, the Lions should think about making some sort of deal to acquire an edge rusher.
While placing a wager on improved health during the upcoming season, the Detroit Lions are adamant on returning it essentially in its current form this offseason. There should be a natural corrective toward much better luck there because the injury situation couldn’t be much worse than it was the previous season.
Edge rushers are still desperately needed in the midst of all the guys that have been re-signed and the lower-end outside additions this side of cornerback DJ Reed. Although there are choices due to the position’s rich draft class, adding a veteran of some kind need to be considered.
Beyond the hazy possibility that Trey Hendrickson would be available for a trade, there was never any chance of a major deal to acquire an edge rusher this summer. Therefore, finding someone the Lions could deal for will need more research.
Evaluating the trade proposal: Aidan Hutchinson’s draft classmate is acquired by the Lions
Instead of selecting a rookie to cover a significant need, four clubs should make a trade, according to Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus. He suggested Kayvon Thibodeaux, a defensive end for the New York Giants, as a trade target for the Lions.
“Although this year’s draft class features a strong group of edge rushers, Detroit’s win-now mentality may lead the team to execute a trade to address the deficiency, as the Lions had attempted to with Za’Darius Smith at the deadline.”
“Kayvon Thibodeaux, the player chosen three choices after Hutchinson in 2022, is one possible target. Although the New York Giants edge rusher has only ever eclipsed a 70.0 single-season PFF pass-rush rating, he hasn’t had the impact many anticipated in New York. However, the correct circumstance might correct the record.
Cameron pointed out that since the Giants selected Thibodeaux with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 selection, he has not made the type of impact that was anticipated. 2023 was perhaps his greatest season to date, as he played in all 17 games and had 11.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He missed three games as a rookie and five games last season, accumulating 9.5 sacks over both seasons.
On or before May 1, the Giants will make a big choice about Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option and whether or not to extend his contract. In order to optimize his trade worth, Cameron proposed that “now would be the time.”
According to Cameron, “Detroit has the structure in place to tap into the pass rusher’s potential, as well as the cap space to facilitate an extension, should the team decide to.” However, it appears that Cameron was unaware of the Lions’ impending contract extensions.
The potential trade cost to acquire Thibodeaux comes next. It’s reasonable to believe that the Giants have no desire to deal him, or very nearly so, but they can and should demand at least a Day 2 selection pick.
Through joint practices against the Giants in each of the last two preseasons, the Lions have had a close look at Thibodeaux, who they worked hard on throughout the 2022 pre-draft process.
