At the next trade deadline, the Detroit Lions will need to address some gaps in their secondary, but one All-Pro cornerback is reportedly off the table.
Following the injuries to cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, some insiders predict the Lions will be seeking to add players by the trade deadline of October 31. Although Patrick Surtain II, a cornerback for the Denver Broncos, has been identified as a major target, a recent rumor suggests that he is no longer on the table.
Broncos Refusing to Give Up Their Best Cornerback
Although general manager Brad Holmes is not known for making many significant trades, MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke surmised that the Lions may be open to making an exception if the Broncos were ready to give up the All-Pro Surtain.
He stated, “There may be some excellent trade candidates as well, most notably Patrick Surtain of Denver.”
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Broncos are unwilling to let go of Surtain and might not be able to move on with many players at the impending trade deadline since they are demanding a hefty price.
The safety position, where Gardner-Johnson most likely had a pectoral tear that ended his season, is one of the other voids the Lions could try to address. The Lions have also had issues with depth in their offensive line, missing extended periods of time with running backs David Montgomery and Jimmy Gibbs.
Sports writer Nathan Dougherty works for Heavy, covering the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. In the past, he worked as an assistant editor for the sports trade publications Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning in addition to writing for the Rochester Business Journal. Based in Rochester, New York, he has an intense passion for all things football. Additional information on Nathan Dougherty
The safety position, where Gardner-Johnson most likely had a pectoral tear that ended his season, is one of the other voids the Lions could try to address. The Lions have also had issues with depth in their offensive line, missing extended periods of time with running backs David Montgomery and Jimmy Gibbs.
Sports writer Nathan Dougherty works for Heavy, covering the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. In the past, he worked as an assistant editor for the sports trade publications Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning in addition to writing for the Rochester Business Journal. Based in Rochester, New York, he has an intense passion for all things football. Additional information on Nathan Dougherty
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is regarded by one team source as “the best and smartest player on the Broncos roster,” hence the Broncos are not open to trading him. Although Denver is considering offers for players like linebacker Josey Jewell, receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, and wide Jerry Jeudy, no offer has even remotely inspired general manager George Paton to take action, according to Russini. “Denver told me, a general manager, ‘The Broncos aren’t selling cheap.'”
There could still be a glimmer of hope for the Lions, though they would need to make a big offer. Charles Robinson of Yahoo wrote that there could still be a chance the Broncos deal Surtain, specifically naming the Lions as a potential suitor.
Surtain is the one player the Broncos see as practically a ‘no,’ but that doesn’t mean a team like the Detroit Lions couldn’t get aggressive and take a shot, Robinson wrote.
The Lions would probably need to extend a significant offer, something Holmes has previously been hesitant to do because their previous moves have been more about obtaining draft picks than about providing them.
Lions Could Address Other Needs
While the Lions may be closed out of landing Surtain, some insiders believe Holmes will make other moves to bolster their defense. SI.com’s Christian Booher suggested the Lions could make a run at Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, noting that the team will soon need to extend quarterback Jared Goff and should take advantage of the cap space while they still have it.
“If the Lions want to show they are truly all-in, they should make a move of this caliber,” Booher wrote. “Crosby would be the perfect running mate for Aidan Hutchinson, and could take Detroit to the next level.”
The safety position, where Gardner-Johnson most likely had a pectoral tear that ended his season, is one of the other voids the Lions could try to address. The Lions have also had issues with depth in their offensive line, missing extended periods of time with running backs David Montgomery and Jimmy Gibbs.
Sports writer Nathan Dougherty works for Heavy, covering the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. In the past, he worked as an assistant editor for the sports trade publications Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning in addition to writing for the Rochester Business Journal. Based in Rochester, New York, he has an intense passion for all things football. Additional information on Nathan Dougherty
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