The Detroit Lions are regarded as one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL, but they suffered a huge blow on Sunday when their top defensive player, the current 2024 league leader in sacks (6.5), was injured. The Lions played the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, and their premier pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, shattered his tibia, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The injuries necessitated urgent surgery at a local hospital, and Hutchinson will be sidelined for the rest of the 2024-25 season. It will not be simple for Detroit General Manager Brad Holmes to succeed him. Hutchinson is only in his third season in the NFL and has already established himself as a top pass rusher, with 82 tackles, 28.5 sacks, and four interceptions.
The Lions have already lost Marcus Davenport, another pass rusher, for the season. If Holmes does make a deal to fill Hutchinson’s spot, Mike Payton of A To Z Sports has indicated what it might cost to obtain Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby.
Crosby has made two NFL All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls. He has 308 tackles and 57.5 sacks in his six-year NFL career. In 2022, Crosby inked a four-year, $94 million contract that will keep him under contract until 2026.
Here’s Payton’s trade proposal: Lions get Maxx Crosby and a 2025 fifth-round pick. Raiders acquire: 2025 first-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, James Houston, and Malcolm Rodriguez. “This won’t be cheap for the Lions,” Payton explained. “I’m not sure if it will require four picks, but a first-round pick will undoubtedly be used for this. I’m not convinced the Lions would get something as valuable as a second-round selection back.” Houston, a third-year linebacker, has yet to play this season.
He was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Rodriguez is also a third-year linebacker selected in the sixth round in 2022. He’s played in five games this season, recording 11 tackles and one sack. The Lions’ quest to avenge last season’s NFC Championship setback and get to the Super Bowl continues with a game against the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
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