10 EDGE trade candidates for Detroit Lions to replace Aidan Hutchinson

Detroit Lions fans wake up on Victory Monday surely feeling conflicting emotions. After dismantling the Dallas Cowboys 47-9 on the road, the Lions made a statement to the NFL, but with the news that they've likely lost edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season, there's a mix of bitter and sweet .

With just one loss this season, the Lions have a top-four record in the NFL, but in the last month they lost all three of their starters: Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes. If the Lions want to maintain their high level of play, they should explore the trade market.

When looking for a career, there are several factors to consider: talent, position, contract, initial cost and age are at the top of the list. For general manager Brad Holmes, always with one eye on the future, he must weigh these factors and look beyond just the physical costs (draft picks, player departures, etc.) because the Lions have several players that need to be in be re-signed/extended next offseason.

For example, while the Lions have immediate salary cap space and draft capital to trade for almost anyone who might be on the trade block, Holmes has to think about how much of that capital he's willing to give up versus sacrifice , which would mean potentially keeping some of their homegrown players.

The dream player the Lions should try to acquire is Maxx Crosby (Raiders, 2-4 record). Crosby may be the only one-for-one replacement for Hutchinson in the NFL. He's a dominant edge player who never makes the playoffs and could be available as the Raiders rebuild. He's from Lapeer, Michigan, played his college football at Eastern Michigan and has previously said that while he wants to be a Raider for life – something he's recently reinforced – there's something intriguing about it, possibly to play for the Lions.

At just 27 years old, Crosby is incredibly attractive, but there will be some big costs associated with him. First, the Raiders would likely have at least two first-round draft picks (maybe more), and second, his salary is $25 million this season, $23 million next year and 2026 almost $20 million.

The implications of this would essentially mean that the cost of acquiring Crosby could be the equivalent of two starters potentially on rookie contracts for five seasons, and that they would be unable to re-sign several key players next offseason, potentially meaning that they say goodbye to a player like Alim McNeill.

While some fans would like to make this trade, the real question is: Would Holmes be willing to sacrifice three for one?

Trey Hendrickson (Bengals, 2-4) is next on the list for many because the style is a perfect fit and there is a familiarity between him and the coaching staff that goes back to New Orleans. Our own Ryan Mathews has previously examined this trade in great detail, but the more the Bengals start piling up wins, the higher the cost of acquiring him will be.

Haason Reddick (Jets, 2-3) will be another popular name floating around Detroit, but he is a 30-year-old player who is currently waiting on a new contract that is rumored to be worth more than $25 million per season. Although he is still a talented pass rusher, there are a lot of questions surrounding him. The Jets gave up a conditional (compensatory) third-round pick to acquire Reddick and would certainly look to recoup their losses. The Lions do not have a third-round pick in 2025, so they would likely have to give up either a second-round pick or a fourth-round pick plus additional compensation. Furthermore, would the Lions be willing to meet his contract demands? And since he hasn't played/practiced this year, how long would it take for him to get into football shape?

Knowing what we know about Holmes, there are significant obstacles to taking over for Crosby, Hendrickson and Reddick – both now and in the future – that have a significant and negative impact on the chances of him acting for any of them .

There will never be a perfect trade and the Lions must be willing to compromise some of their preferences. But there are two trade candidates whose major obstacles can be avoided and which are likely to be near the top of the “realistic” trade options.

At the age of 32 Za'Darius Smith (Tan, 1-5) is no longer the dominant Pro Bowler he once was, but he is still highly talented and capable of being productive in the Lions program. Stylistically, Smith (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) would be a plug-and-play starter in the Hutchinson role. He can set the lead, create pressure and get to the quarterback. He is capable of playing starting reps but needs help from depth players during games.

During the 2023 offseason, the Vikings traded Smith to the Browns for two fifth-round picks and sent Smith, a sixth- and seventh-round pick to Cleveland. Now, a year and a half later, the cost of acquiring Smith in a trade should be even lower.

Additionally, Smith's salary is very reasonable and would only cost the Lions a prorated $1.2 million this season. Additionally, they could potentially have him under contract for $5.4 million in 2025 (depending on bonuses), but could also move forward without a cap if they feel the need.

While the physical acquisition and roster costs should be low, the Browns may be hesitant to trade Smith since they restructured his deal this offseason, creating a potential dead cap of nearly $24 million in a trade . But if the Lions were willing to cover some of those costs, that would certainly make a deal more likely. It's not clear how much they would be willing to take on, but they have room to get creative with the salary cap.

For me personally, this potential deal makes the most sense. With some creative bookkeeping, the Lions could find a starter player to fit the program at low cost now and in the future. Cleveland would be my first call if I were Holmes.

The other option I would seriously consider is Harold Landry (Titans, 1-4). At 28, Landry's salary is still at its peak and would cost a prorated $17.25 million this season and a non-guaranteed $17.25 million in 2025 and 2026. That's an encouraging number for the Lions, but there would be some advantages. and-participate. The positive is that they would potentially have a position-flexible edge rusher under contract for the next two seasons, but it could also affect one or two potential signings.

On the field, Landry took some time to recover from an ACL injury in 2022, but he came off the bench at the end of last season (11 sacks) and has four sacks in 2024. Additionally, Landry played the last six seasons for current Lions defensive coach Terrell Williams, meaning there will likely be a quick transition into the Lions program. Williams knows Landry's strengths and how to utilize him properly, which would give the Lions a huge advantage that they wouldn't have in any other trade scenario.

If Holmes is looking for a longer return on his traded away capital, Landry will be a very interesting option for him.

5 other players who could be considered:

• Jadeveon Clowney, (Panthers, 1-5) is 31 years old and a rotational player at this stage of his career, but he is coming off an 11-sack season with the Ravens. He is also currently injured and would need to be healthy and recovered before he can be traded.
• Travon Walker, (Jaguars, 1-5) was suggested by ESPN's Ben Solak as a possible trade target for the Lions, and while I completely agree with the idea, I also think the proposed cost of acquiring him (2025 fourth-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick) not correct. That doesn't make much sense for the Jaguars.
• Azeez Ojulari, (Giants, 2-4) is a young, developing pass rusher in the final year of his rookie contract, but he fits Barnes' role better than Hutchinson's. The Lions might be interested, but there would still be a big hole on defense.
• Jamin Davis, (Commanders, 4-2) is another player better suited to the SAM linebacker role than defensive end, but the former first-round pick has fallen out of favor in Washington and could be acquired at a low price.
• Josh Uche, (Patriots, 1-5) is another young SAM option that would be less expensive to purchase but may not meet as great a need. The former Michigan Wolverine hasn't quite lived up to his status as a second-round draft pick yet, but he's just two years removed from a 12-sack season and could be an interesting addition.