Replacing Aidan Hutchinson is not going to be easy for the Detroit Lions, that's pretty well known at this point. A lot of Lions fans are focused in on grabbing that one big prize. It's either Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett. I totally get the desire to have either of them in Detroit, but my mind keeps going to Tennessee as the place where the Lions can get their fix.
The Titans are a really bad team right now and there's a lot of thought behind the idea that they may be looking to go into rebuild mode. If that's the case, there's multiple players to be had from that roster. Specifically players that just spent the last five seasons with Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams.
On Monday I suggested Harold Landry as a solution in a group of four guys from different teams. Today I'm going deeper. I have a new trade proposal that's a big one. It will feature Landry, but it'll also feature an extra player and it won't break the bank for the Lions. Here it is:
Lions get: Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry
Titans get: Hendon Hooker, Ennis Rakestraw, 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-fourth pick
Alright, let's go over it piece by piece. We'll start with Simmons. While he's usually listed as a defensive tackle, Simmons actually moves all over the line. He's played defensive end for two games this season. His whole career has been that way. He plays inside and outside. In Detroit he can continue to do that.
Simmons would be the expensive part of this deal for sure, but he really doesn't cost as much as you might think. The Lions would have to pay him a little over $11 million this season and then $17.5 next year. The beautiful thing about this deal is that the Lions. Don’t have to worry about dead cap at all, so the Lions aren't tied to him if he suddenly declines, which I don't think he will by the way.
Landry is a steal money wise. The way his contract is structured the Lions would essentially be paying him around $1 million per game and then they could part with him after the season for no loss. His salary is not guaranteed in 2025 or 2026. He could be a one year rental or the Lions could chose to keep him him around for two more years. It's a great deal.
As for what you're trading away, Hendon Hooker has to go in this deal. The Titans are desperate at quarterback and here's an opportunity for them to get a mobile guy that can make some plays for them. Plus it doesn't hurt that he's played in the area for years and had success for the Vols. Hooker could replace Levis tomorrow and the Titans would be happy for it. Titans fans would probably love it too.
Ok, here's going to be the sticking point for Lions fans. The Titans need a cornerback and the only one that the Lions can really give away that would move the needle for the Titans would be Rakestraw.
The thing about it is that the Lions have their guys there. Terrion Arnold is playing well, Carlton Davis is playing well and so is Amik Robertson. The obvious argument is that Rakestraw could take over for Davis as early as next year and I totally get that, but here's a chance to have two solid defensive linemen that can help out this year and then be huge for the Lions next year when Hutchinson is back. That just feels a lot more attractive and I have to go for it.
Trading away some draft assets has to be done. No matter how much you value Hooker and Rakestraw, the rest of the league isn't going to sell just based off those two guys. Since Simmons is an All-Pro and he's only 27, the Lions have to give away a high pick. They don't have to do a first, but a second is defintley in order. Since the Lions are giving away their second round pick for this years draft, it seems fair to push the fourth-rounder they're giving away to 2026.
It seems like a lot, but this is the swing the Lions have to take if you ask me. They get two premium players that can have an impact right away and into the future and they don't cost the Lions a crazy amount of money now or later.
Related: Detroit Lions Mailbag: Two guys that can help the Lions manufacture Aidan Hutchinson's lost production
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