Football <\/p>\n
One of the top defensive ends in the National Football League<\/a> still remains available for teams like the Detroit Lions to acquire via trade. <\/p>\n Sports Illustrated NFL reporter Albert Breer <\/a>recently answered questions for an NFL mailbag and addressed two questions from Lions supporters, inquiring about the possibility of landing Cincinnati Bengals star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. <\/p>\n The asking price continues to remain high, as the AFC North squad is reportedly seeking at least a second-round pick for the NFL’s 2024 sack leader<\/a>. <\/p>\n “I think it\u2019s possible,” Breer replied. “The Bengals want at least a second-round pick for him, and it\u2019s a lot to ask, to give a 31-year-old pass rusher, regardless of how good he is, in excess of $30 million per year while forking over that type of draft capital to pry him away. The Detroit Lions are picking<\/a> at the end of the round, so maybe the pick would be a little easier for them to part with, but I would question how it\u2019d affect negotiations with Aidan Hutchinson.” <\/p>\n Another supporter asked, “Anything on Detroit and looking for an edge player?”<\/p>\n Detroit signed Marcus Davenport to a one-year contract and also re-signed Levi Onwuzurike. Za’Darius Smith being released was not a big surprise, but there remains hope the 32-year-old could return on a more affordable contract. <\/p>\n With a deeper draft class<\/a> along the defensive line, general manager Brad Holmes could target a younger, more affordable draft prospect to aid Detroit’s defensive line. <\/p>\n Both Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are expected to land massive, long-term contract extensions this offseason. With the team prioritizing bringing back<\/a> its own players, adding a player of Hendrickson’s stature might end up being too prohibitive, especially with a decision on Jameson Williams also upcoming. <\/p>\n Hendrickson could command north of $35 million, as Myles Garrett recently earned a contract extension from the Browns that pays him $40 million annually. <\/p>\n “I think the release of Za\u2019Darius Smith is a precursor to something happening at the position. But I\u2019d warn that it does\u00a0not\u00a0<\/em>have to be in free agency or via a trade,” Breer noted. “This year\u2019s draft class is obscenely deep in edge players, so it\u2019s certainly possible they could spend both the 28th and 60th picks on defensive linemen<\/a>, and wind up looking smart for it down the line. It\u2019s fun to think of the idea of someone like Tennessee\u2019s James Pearce Jr. being on that roster.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n