Rams Land Myles Garrett: Should the Lions Make a Move?
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Rams made the biggest splash of the NFL offseason by acquiring reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The move did not come cheap.
To land Garrett, the Rams sent Pro Bowl edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick to Cleveland. While the compensation was significant, the price will be quickly forgotten if Garrett helps deliver a Super Bowl to Los Angeles.
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The trade also raises an important question: How, if at all, should the Detroit Lions respond?
At this point, it is difficult to see Detroit making a major move before the start of the season. General manager Brad Holmes has consistently built through the draft and trusted the roster already in place. However, if circumstances change during the season, there are a couple high-profile options the Lions could consider.
Maxx Crosby
The most obvious target remains Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Earlier this offseason, Baltimore came close to acquiring Crosby before a failed physical halted the deal. The Ravens were willing to part with two first-round picks, which likely sets the baseline for any future negotiations. Detroit has reportedly checked on Crosby’s availability in the past, and Crosby has openly expressed his love for the city of Detroit and the possibility of playing for his hometown team.
A trade would become more realistic if Las Vegas struggles out of the gate. The Raiders are building around a young core, and by the time they are ready to contend, Crosby could be nearing the end stages of his prime.
The biggest obstacle would be financial. The Lions have several cornerstone players who will eventually require extensions, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. Adding Crosby’s contract could complicate those plans.
Detroit would likely need to move salary in any deal. While the Raiders have little need for a running back or tight end, they could be interested in defensive pieces. Packaging a player with a sizable contract could help the Lions absorb Crosby’s cap hit while maintaining long-term flexibility.
While a Crosby trade still appears unlikely, Detroit’s recent hiring of former Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier as a personnel executive adds an interesting wrinkle. During his time in Miami, Grier was involved in blockbuster moves for stars such as Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey. His experience with major trades could provide another voice in the front office if Holmes decides to become more aggressive.
T.J. Watt
Another intriguing possibility is Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt.
Watt has not been heavily connected to Detroit, but his situation could become worth monitoring. The Steelers are attempting to remain competitive after bringing back Aaron Rodgers, but if the season goes sideways, Pittsburgh could decide to focus on the future.
Watt carries a significant cap hit, but his contract structure could make a trade manageable for Detroit. The Lions have shown creativity when structuring contracts, and they may be able to fit Watt into their long-term plans if they view him as the final piece of a championship-caliber defense.
At 31 years old, Watt is the same age as Garrett and may not be quite as dominant as he was at the peak of his career. Even so, he remains one of the NFL’s most disruptive defenders.
Watt’s impact extends beyond sacks. He consistently creates turnovers, whether through forced fumbles, tipped passes or interceptions. His ability to affect games in multiple ways would make him an attractive addition to a Lions defense seeking another difference-maker on the edge.
Standing Pat Remains the Most Likely Outcome
While both Crosby and Watt remain long-shot candidates, they are names worth monitoring if Detroit finds itself in a position to make an aggressive move during the season.
For now, the Lions appear comfortable with their roster. Holmes has largely resisted making splashy acquisitions, trusting the foundation that has turned Detroit into one of the NFL’s top contenders.
If the Lions can avoid the injury issues that plagued them late last season, they have every reason to believe they can compete with anyone. The Rams may have added Garrett, but Detroit still possesses one of the league’s most complete rosters and remains among the favorites not only in the NFC, but across the NFL.