The NFL trade deadline tends to be one of the slowest among major sports. Big-name players aren't typically moved, but that doesn't mean it can't happen.
Sometimes injuries force team hands, which could be the case this year. The Lions dominated the Cowboys in Week 6, winning 47-9. Unfortunately, the Lions couldn't celebrate in full.
Dominant pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome leg injury in the victory. Hutchinson was taken to the hospital instead of the locker room and will underdog surgery for a fractured tibia. His return timeline is unclear, but it's unlikely he'll play again this season.
Detroit's win pushed them to 4-1 on the season, and they're widely considered legitimate contenders to bring Detroit its first-ever Super Bowl win. While Hutchinson's quest for the single-season sack record has ended, the Lions need to consider making a move to bring in a replacement.
Here are the best options for Detroit.
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Lions trade targets: Top pass-rushers who could replace Aidan Hutchinson
Maxx Crosby
Crosby is the biggest name on this list. Las Vegas' success under Antonio Pierce at the end of last season has evaporated, failing to carry over into 2024. The offense is awful, especially with star wide receiver Davante Adams requesting a trade. The defense isn't fairing much better, other than Crosby terrorizing opposing backfields.
Crosby is clearly frustrated with his team. He left the field late in the team's Week 6 loss against the Steelers and shoved a coach. Since it is Crosby, this could just be what he does. Optically, though, it seems like he wants a fresh start, and Las Vegas is in a position where they need to capitalize on his value and trade him,
Maxx Crosby ain't happy👀 pic.twitter.com/e9j6MasJ0J
— Benstonium (@Benstonium) October 13, 2024
| Year | Games | Tackles | Stuffs | Sacks |
| 2024 | 5 | 20 | 7 | 5.5 |
Crosby has two years left on the four-year, 94 million contract he signed with Las Vegas ahead of the 2022 season. There is a potential out after this year, per Spotrac, but it comes with a little over $10 million in dead cap. Trades often can include the team trading away a player, retaining some of the money, but the Lions would barely have the cap space to bring him in this year, per Over the Cap.
Given his dominance and the fact that he is just 27, Crosby will likely be worth a first-round pick and some. The price tag could be too much for Detroit, but if they can figure out how to make the salary work, think of the next two years with Hutchinson on one side and Crosby on another.
Trey Hendrickson
The Bengals are likely better than they have been playing, but Hendrickson's value is very high right now. He's under contract for two more years, too, which likely raises his asking price. Hendrickson also had a solid game in primetime against New York, likely increasing what it would take Cincinnati to move him.
| Year | Games | Tackles | Stuffs | Sacks |
| 2024 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 5 |
Hendrickson carries a $20 million cap hit this season and is only under contract through 2025. A new team would likely need to give him a new contract. The good news, though, is that they can manipulate the numbers to try to lessen the deal each year through void years.
Judging trade value is challenging, especially when considering the salaries involved and whether the sending team will retain anything. Still, Hendrickson could likely be had for a trade package with a second and a future pick.
Za'Darius Smith
Cleveland has to do something. The Browns will head into Week 7 with a 1-5 record, well out of the playoff hunt. The offense has been sputtering, and No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper is already been tossed around in trade rumors. Cleveland is in a bind with quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract, so while they likely need to bench him, head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to start his quarterback.
On the defensive line, Myles Garrett would garner an unreal return if they traded him. The Cleveland faithful would also likely protest the team, so it is more likely that they move Smith. The 32-year-old is much better suited for a team in win-now mode, and his new team could get out of his current two-year deal after this season, per Spotrac. Given his age and price tag, Smith likely will only get Cleveland a late-round pick. When they acquired him, it was for a pair of fifth-rounders.
| Year | Games | Tackles | Stuffs | Sacks |
| 2024 | 6 | 16 | 1 | 3 |
Haason Reddick
Reddick is a unique case because he likely has the most risk if a team acquires him from the Jets. New York traded for him from the Eagles, but despite being healthy, he has yet to take the field for the Jets. He clearly wants a lucrative new contract before playing, which the Lions might not be willing or able to accommodate, but if they can work out a short-term, big-money deal, Reddick presents an interesting option.
Reddick was acquired for a conditional third-round pick. Due to this season's off-field complications, if he can be traded, it likely would be for less of a return. Reddick's contract is backloaded with void years and would likely need to be renegotiated. A new team should have sway there since the edge rusher has forfeited several game checks during his tenure with the Jets.
Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney is another intriguing option. He may not want to be traded because he is from South Carolina and plays for his hometown team in Carolina. Clowney also curiously said he isn't used to losing, and Carolina is clearly rebuilding.
The Panthers need draft capital, and even though Clowney wouldn't garner much, it would be something that builds for the future rather than retaining the 31-year-old. Clowney has been injured with a shoulder injury, so would need to heal from that to be traded.
| Year | Games | Tackles | Stuffs | Sacks |
| 2024 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
Clowney would likely go for a late-round pick, such as a 2025 7th-rounder or 2026 6th. He is under contract through 2025, but a new team can get out of his current deal at the end of this year for $6 million in dead cap, per Spotrac.
Azeez Ojulari
Ojulari and the Giants took on Cincinnati in Week 6's Sunday Night Football game. If he was on the radar for Detroit, the cost to get him just soared. Ojulari had four tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and helped force a fumble in the second half. The fumble itself was accredited to Bobby Okereke, but Ojulari assisted in the tackle that caused it.
New York has made moves to improve its defense, such as bringing in Brian Burns from the Panthers, but the Giants can likely benefit from moving Ojulari for draft capital. Ahead of the game against Cincinnati, New York has a 2-3 record.
| Year | Games | Tackles | Stuffs | Sacks |
| 2024 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 3 |
Ojulari is playing in the final season of his rookie contract. In terms of cap hit, he would be the cheapest option for the Lions, but due to his age and how well he has played this year, he may end up costing the team a third or fourth-round pick, as well as a new deal if they want to retain him after this year.
When is the 2024 NFL trade deadline
The trade deadline was pushed back this year. Now, it will come at the end of Week 9 when in the past, it had been the end of Week 8. The 2024 NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
