The Lions are reportedly in the market for a top cornerback during the free agency period. They could certainly look to sign a player in free agency and we already put out our top five that they could make a move for there. But that’s not their only option. The Lions could potentially trade for one. Here’s four options and the amount they might have to give up for them:
Note: I did include L’Jarius Sneed in the last article and he won’t be in this one.
Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore is a favorite of Lions fans. I have seen countless tweets about the team trading for him. It’s becasue it’s a move that makes a lot of sense. Lattimore spent multiple seasons with both Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. So there’s a rapport there and there an understanding of how the Lions run their defense.
What would a trade for Lattimore cost the Lions? The 2025 fourth round pick that the Lions got from the Eagles in the D’Andre Swift trade. Saints fans might not be bowled over by that, but the fact is that Lattimore has missed 17 games in the last two seasons and he turns 28 in May. He’s just not going to command the high value that Sneed will.
Carlton Davis
Davis has popped up on a few lists. The Bucs are going to be in cost cutting mode after securing the return of Mike Evans and beginning their quest to get Baker Mayfield back. Parting with Davis will help them do that. Davis has ability, but he’s not a number one corner for the Lions. He’s someone that could come in and be premium depth or maybe CB2.
What would a trade for Davis cost the Lions? A 2025 sixth-round pick would get it done. I think this moved compares well with the Williams Jackson trade the Commanders and Steelers did in November of 2022. A competent starter with injury history for a future sixth round pick.
Greg Newsome
Here’s an interesting one. Newsome was rumored to have requested a trade from the Browns last offseason and wasn’t granted one. The Browns are in some cap trouble this year and it’s only going to get worse as they go forward. Newsome is still on his rookie deal, but he’s going to command some big money. This is the Browns chance to escape and free up some space.
What would a trade for Newsome cost the Lions? A player as good and as young as Newsome is going to require that the Lions give up a day two pick. That’s going to be the third rounder they got from the Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson trade. They might even have to throw in an additional 2025 fifth-round pick to sweeten the pot.
Donte Jackson
The Panthers were rumored to be trading Jackson at the trade deadline this past season and now they’re looking to try to do it again. Much like Davis, Jackson doesn’t come to Detroit to be the one. He comes here to be premium depth or the two.
What would a trade for Jackson cost the Lions? Similar to Davis, this is going to be a 2025 sixth-round pick. The ball is pretty much in the court of the receiving team here. The Panthers are desperate. Here’s a situation where they get something instead of just releasing him and getting nothing. That and Jackson turns 29 this coming season.