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5 pass rushers to watch

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The Detroit Lions took care of business on the court on Sunday and now the focus shifts to trade talks before Tuesday.

The Lions are in the market to replenish their league-level roster ahead of the NFL’s midseason trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon. Detroit has until 4 p.m. to make a move on a player currently on another NFL roster to add pieces for the stretch run.

Detroit is shopping the edge at this deadline. The Lions lost star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg in mid-October, and before that lost free agent Marcus Davenport to a torn pectoral muscle, on-ball linebacker Derrick Barnes to a knee injury and lineman Josh Cominsky has been out since starting training camp hurt his knee.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has had to get creative to move players on the defensive line and increase the number of blitzes to apply pressure, but Detroit has just five sacks in the three games without Hutchinson, who led the NFL with 7½ sacks before getting hurt hit. The Lions have gotten contributions from Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, Trevor Nowaske, Isaiah Thomas, James Houston and Al-Quadin Muhammad, but want more oomph from the edge.

The trade market for pass rushers has been somewhat stagnant so far. The Kansas City Chiefs acquired Josh Uche from the New England Patriots, but that is the only edge rusher moved so far. National insiders expect talks to accelerate ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, with the Lions confirmed to be in talks with other teams. There reportedly aren’t many names on the market, and Detroit has competition from other contenders to add pass rush help.

Here’s a look at some of the team’s pass rushers that could be forced to sell after another loss on Sunday pushed their teams even further out of playoff consideration.

Lions trade rumors: latest updates

Cleveland Browns DE Za’Darius Smith

Smith is the most realistic name linked to Detroit at the deadline.

Smith, 32, has five sacks for a 2-7 Cleveland Browns team that has already unloaded receiver Amari Cooper. Smith has one year left on his contract after 2024. He has Pro Bowl credentials and experience playing in the NFC North as a power rusher. NBC Sports reported Sunday that a Lions deal for Smith was imminent. The report was released after the Browns fell behind 20-3 in their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday afternoon on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he thought the Lions and Browns would eventually find a way to make it happen, but cautioned “things change, you never know.” But I think there are enough conversations.”

“I think the Lions and Browns have had important conversations, yes?” Schefter began. “Do I think they’ve agreed on compensation, no, I think they’re still arguing about that. Could there be someone else to step in and offer, yes.”

New York Giants LB Azeez Ojulari

The Giants could also be in selling mode after falling to 2-7 on Sunday. Ojulari, a 2020 second-round pick out of New York, has made his mark as a trade chip and neither confirmed nor denied any trade speculation following Sunday’s loss to the Commanders. Ojulari, 24, has six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 26 total tackles in nine games this season as an off-ball linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Tennessee Titans LB Arden Key

The Lions got a good look at Key a week ago, when the on-ball linebacker finished with two sacks in the first half of the Lions’ 52-14 win over Tennessee. Key’s name has been linked as a potential trade piece in recent weeks, and the Titans are still far, far away from any sort of contention despite beating the Patriots on Sunday, and should be in the market to trying to build future assets. Key has four sacks in eight games with two forced fumbles.

Carolina Panthers DE Jadeveon Clowney

Like the Titans, the Panthers won narrowly on Thursday but are still tied for the lead for the first overall pick in the 2025 draft with six other teams at 2-7. Carolina could move defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal after a record-setting year for the Ravens. Clowney, 31, has missed two games this year due to a shoulder injury and has one sack with three tackles for loss in seven games.

New Orleans Saints DE Chase Young

Last year, Detroit fans looked at Young as a possible name to add when the Washington Commanders stripped things down, but he went to the San Francisco 49ers instead, with mixed results. Young signed a one-year deal with the Saints in free agency, and New Orleans could be in the market to fire one of their players after seven straight losses and firing head coach Dennis Allen. Young has 2½ sacks and 10 tackles in nine games this year.

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared at X @jared_ramsey22 and email him at [email protected].

Vaseline2 weeks ago

0 4 minutes read