Superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett has officially requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, prompting NFL teams to line up for a shot at acquiring one of the league’s top defensive playmakers.
Among them, the Detroit Lions should be first in line, ready to present the perfect trade offer to Cleveland.
Before delving into what the offer should look like, let’s explore why the Lions must step up with a competitive bid for Garrett.
The Lions were widely considered one of the top teams in the NFL for most of the regular season, but injuries and Jared Goff’s struggles at quarterback hindered their performance.
While fixing Goff’s issues might not be in the cards for this offseason, the Lions should focus on strengthening their overall roster to maintain a competitive edge.
Aidan Hutchinson was playing at an elite level before his injury, accumulating 7.5 sacks in just five games and emerging as a strong Defensive Player of the Year contender.
His absence left a noticeable void, and the Lions’ pass rush lost its potency. Garrett’s presence would have softened that blow, and a Hutchinson-Garrett tandem would form one of the most fearsome pass-rush duos in the league.
Given that Detroit’s offense, led by a steady but unremarkable Goff, could use an elite defense to carry them to the next level, acquiring Garrett would significantly improve their chances, especially if Goff falters in a postseason game like he did against the Washington Commanders.
With the need for Garrett being vital to Detroit’s Super Bowl hopes, the next logical question is: What should the Lions offer for him?
Recent trades involving top-tier pass-rushers show what kind of compensation to expect. For example, the New York Giants acquired Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a swap of fifth-round selections.
Similarly, the New York Jets traded a conditional third-round pick (potentially turning into a second-round pick) to the Philadelphia Eagles for Haason Reddick.
However, Garrett is a far superior player to either Burns or Reddick. Consequently, the Lions will need to offer a slightly larger package.
But with Garrett officially requesting a trade, the Browns have less leverage, meaning Detroit shouldn’t need to part with their first-round pick to secure the deal.
A second-round pick this year and a third-round pick next year would represent a fair offer, providing the Browns with excellent value in exchange for their star pass-rusher. These selections are valuable enough to aid the Browns’ rebuilding efforts.
The reason the second pick is a third-rounder rather than a fourth is that Detroit needs to make a strong enough offer to outbid other suitors. Given where the Lions pick in both 2025 and 2026, they’ll need to pay a bit of a premium.
Additionally, the fact that the Lions are in the NFC works in their favor. If the Browns were to trade Garrett within the conference, they’d risk seeing him more often.
A move to Detroit means Garrett would only face Cleveland occasionally, preserving a strategic advantage.
All these factors point to the conclusion that Myles Garrett could soon be a Detroit Lion if the team plays its cards right.