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The Detroit Lions are sitting at 4-2, but are coming off a tough loss in Kansas City on Sunday Night Football. The pass rush wasn’t necessarily the reason they lost, but the defense could use more help. Dianna Russini recently reported that the Lions are “calling around” for an edge rusher prior to the November 4th trade deadline.

Obviously, the Lions are without standout defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who offers a significant pass rush presence in the middle. Marcus Davenport is also injured, but both are likely to be back at some point this season, McNeill could be back as soon as this week.

The Lions are, and should be, looking for defensive help. They are currently without 3 of their starting defensive backs, but should be getting some reinforcements back soon, with Terrion Arnold returning to practice this week. I would think this is why they aren’t necessarily in the market for corners, as they have signed a few, and it was one of the deeper spots on the roster coming into the season. Knowing they will get their guys back at some point this season makes it hard to give up capital for a player now. There are a lot of different players they could add, as multiple NFL teams are selling at the deadline. It all depends on value the Lions are willing to give up. Let’s take a look at a few of the more realistic options for Detroit.

EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami:

Phillips, 26, would be a solid addition to this Lions defense, specifically as a pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. he has a PFF grade of just 66.9, but he’s 10th in hurries and 17th in pressures. If you put him with Hutchinson, he will have a much easier job, and should get to the QB even more. He has a pressure rate of 15.1% as well. For reference, Hutchinson has a pressure rate of 15.8%. Phillip’s pressure rate is better than Jeffery Simmons, Danielle Hunter, Rashan Gary, and Maxx Crosby, who are all seen as top tier players at their position. Obviously, this doesn’t mean he is a better player than them, but it is a good sign for what he could do if given a teammate like Hutchinson. The only real issue I see with this is the Lions prefer good run defenders, who can collapse the pocket with strength rather than an elusive pass rusher. However, I think Hutchinson needs a finesse guy on the other side, to help force the QB towards him, making his job easier. It would also make it harder on the tackles we face, as you essentially have two different style rushers lining up on them throughout the game. Plus, Davenport can be the run stopper once he returns from injury later this season. For reference, Phillips’ PFF run defense grade is 45.4, while his pass rush grade is sitting at a solid 80.1, showing run defense is not his strong suit. Overall, I believe Phillips would be a very good addition to this defense, for the right price, which we will talk about below.

COST: Lions get Jaelen Phillips, 2026 6th. Dolphins get 2026 4th round pick.

With the Dolphins being as bad as they are, I can see them having a ‘fire sale’ of sorts. Reportedly, they are looking to get rid of multiple players as they sit at 1-5 on the season. With that being said, I don’t see Phillips as one of the guys they want to get rid of. He is still young, and productive. His contract could be the issue, though, as he is in the final year of his deal, and it doesn’t sound like the Dolphins want to extend him. I also don’t see the Lions extending him, so it would be a rental, but I think it would be worth it. He would likely ask for $20 million plus, which the Lions can’t afford to give with the current roster construction, unless something big happens. I would do this deal, as the Lions could definitely use some help on the edge, and you’re not giving up a lot for it.

EDGE Bradley Chubb, Miami:

Another Miami edge defender, this time their sack leader Bradley Chubb. He currently has 4.0 sacks and 15 pressures with a pressure rate of 12.8%. Chubb, 29, is also currently due $75 million over the next 3 seasons, which may be a sticking point in negotiations. However, the team who trades for him would inherit a $20-plus million cap hit for 2026 and 2027, instead of his current $30-plus million hit, making it just a little more realistic to take on. Still, it would be very hard for the Lions to make it work financially. I would expect this to be another rental situation, but I could see the Lions potentially restructuring his deal, or keeping him for 2026 and moving on after. He has no guaranteed money after this season, so it would make it possible to cut him without eating the cap hit. Either way, it will be tough for Detroit to navigate. Chubb is also coming off a knee injury that kept him out of the 2024 season. Chubb would probably fit better opposite Hutchinson than Phillips, and he has more of the archetype play style the Lions look for out of their edge players.

COST: 2026 5th round pick.

Again, the Dolphins are bad, and I see them trying hard to get rid of Chubb’s contract while he still offers some value on the field. Entering his 30’s, coming off a knee injury, and being paid an exorbitant amount of money makes it hard for the Dolphins to get much, even though he’s productive. The contract is the big issue for any team, so there’s potential you can get the Dolphins to pay a little more, if they want more compensation. I think the Lions would prefer Chubb over Phillips for his on field play, but would prefer Phillips contract situation. I’d guess if this trade is made, the Lions immediately try to restructure, or they cut him after the season.

EDGE Arden Key, Tennessee:

Another edge rusher, from yet another bad football team. The Titans, also sitting at 1-5, are another team having a ‘fire sale’ come trade deadline. Key, 29, probably makes more sense than Phillips and Chubb, simply due to the value given to pry him away, and contract structure. He signed a 3-year deal worth $21 million back in 2023, so he is due $9.2 million in 2025, the final year of that deal. Obviously, he would be yet another rental, but I also believe he coild be had for less than the aforementioned players. In the final year of his deal, while lacking production on a bad team, is a recipe for being traded. Currently, he has 1.5 sacks, 5 pressures, and a pressure rate of 5.2%, which is obviously not great, but he would be a solid player to add across from Hutchinson. He is also coming off of a solid season, where he had 6.5 sacks, 38 pressures, and a pressure rate of 10.1%. If he can get back to that production with Detroit, this would be a no-brainer move to make. The only real issue I see with his move is the same as the Phillips move; he’s not exactly what the Lions look for as an edge defender. However, Davenport and Key would and should likely split snaps, giving the Lions the ‘best of both worlds’ in terms of pass rushers.

COST: 2026 6th round pick.

Key is not a guy who will garner much value on the trade market with low production, on a one year deal. However, I think that bodes well for the Lions chances of making the move, as it won’t affect cap next year, and a 6th round pick is not a lot to give up. This one makes the most sense for Detroit. The Lions should definitely make this call, as Key could be the ‘key’ to get the Lions defense to that next level.

EDGE Dre’Mont Jones, Tennessee:

Yet another Tennessee edge rusher, this time 28 year old Dre’Mont Jones. I believe Jones would fit what the Lions are looking for as a player, he is a big, strong, edge defender. He is not necessarily a plus pass rusher, but he fits the mold as a run stopper, and can add some pass rush at times. Jones is 6’3″ 281lbs, so he is more of a ‘closed end’ in our defense, which is what we need. The issue I see with this deal would be his fit when Davenport is back, I think I’d prefer a player who can add a bit more pass rush juice. His contract is not bad at all though, with the Lions only taking on just over $2 million, which is another reason why this would make sense. He signed with Tennessee this off-season, after being cut by Seattle shortly after signing a big 3-year deal. He currently has a 66.0 PFF grade, with just 1 sack, 10 pressures, and a pressure rate of 7.4%, so we aren’t getting a player who will come in and change the defense. However, he would be a very good stand in for Davenport, and when he gets back, Jones could split snaps. He also offers versatility, with the ability to play inside or outside with his size and frame. I also think Jones would benefit from playing in our scheme, with the players we have.

COST: Lions receive Jones and 2026 7th for 2026 6th.

Personally, I don’t see the Lions giving up much for Jones. If I had to choose between Jones and Key, I’d choose Key, as he offers more of what we need. However, for the right price, it would be worth making a move. Jones has not played great this year, so I don’t expect Tennessee to ask for much, especially with him on a one year deal.

EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants:

Thibodeaux would likely be the most expensive player on the list, but I think there is a chance the Lions could make this move. Thibodeaux, 24, would be the ideal player to pair with Hutchinson. The former 5th overall pick in the same draft, a lot of people thought Kayvon was the better prospect. Obviously, that wasn’t the case, but think of pairing those two players together just a few years after that draft. Kayvon might be having his best season yet, with a 71.4 PFF grade and a run defense grade of 78.4, both a career high. He also has 3 sacks, and 20 pressures, with a pressure rate of 10.6%. He is likely the odd man out in New York after they drafted Abdul Carter, and traded for Brian Burns last off-season. He is also under contract through 2026, with a cap hit of $9.9 million and $14.75 million in ’25 and ’26 respectively. The Lions would take on about $5 million for the remainder of 2025, but would take on the entire $14.75 million in 2026, which is reasonable. If the Lions make this trade, they will have a very good edge duo for the next two years, and it may just be what we need to get over the hump.

COST: 2026 2nd round pick.

Obviously, the cost is not ideal, but I think there is a chance the Giants would take a 3rd and a 5th, but the Lions are currently without a 3rd round pick in the 2026 NFL draft. New York shouldn’t be in a rush to move him though, as he still has 2 years left on is deal, and he has been a pretty good player for them. However, I could see the Giants ripping the band-aid off, as there is no guarantee you get more for him. It is possible the Giants hold onto Kayvon though, as Burns is due $34.75, $36.25, and $36.25 million against the cap in ’26, ’27, and ’28 respectively. They have an ‘out’, or the ability to cut him, after the 2026 season without eating too much cap. It could make sense to try and sign Thibodeaux to a deal and let Burns walk, but I see the Giants keeping Burns as he is just 27 years old, and you never know what Kayvon will ask for.

DE Calais Campbell, Arizona:

Ok, he may not *technically* be an edge rusher, but Campbell would play closed end for us, and we were reportedly interested in him in free agency. Arizona was able to snag him, but with how they are playing this season, I’d expect them to look to move him. Campbell, 38, is a versatile defensive lineman who could play all over the front for us. Obviously, he’s a rental, but with an overall PFF grade of 74.7, 3 sacks, 13 pressures, and a pressure rate of 9.9%, he still has some juice left. He is due around $3 million for the rest of the year, which is very easy to handle financially. He would also fit well in the locker room, and he is the type of guy the Lions like. He would add versatility, with his ability to line up anywhere, and give you a solid pass rush and run defense. This would make a ton of sense for Detroit in my opinion.

COST: 2026 7th round pick.

Obviously Campbell is very old, and on a one year deal, so there isn’t really much the Cardinals could get in terms of value. However, they should take what they can get as a rebuilding team. The Lions should jump at the chance to add a player of Campbell’s caliber, and if it only costs a 7th round pick, sign me up.

SUMMARY:

Overall, the Lions need help on defense, and it seems we will have the ability to add some. This trade deadline might be one of the more active across the league in recent memory, and the Lions could stand the benefit. If it were up to me, I’d love to add a player like Kayvon Thibodeaux, but it will likely be too expensive. Bradley Chubb also makes a ton of sense, but that’s a lot of money to give, even if you cut him after one season. Jaelan Phillips is ideal in terms of contract and value given, but I’m not so sure he will be a great fit here schematically. Dre’Mont Jones would be underwhelming in my opinion, as he doesn’t really add the ass rush juice we are looking for. If I were Brad Holmes, I am trading a 6th and 7th round pick for Arden Key and Calais Campbell respectively. Both guys are on one year deals, and wouldn’t eat into our cap to much this year either. Having to give just two day 3 picks for what could be two very solid players is worth it, especially if you are a Super Bowl contender like Detroit.

IDEAL SCENARIO:

Lions trade 2026 6th round pick to Tennessee for EDGE Arden Key, and a 2026 7th round pick to Arizona for DL Calais Campbell.

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