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The Detroit Lions are expected to make some roster additions ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline, with edge rush an annual area of concern. The Lions made a move for veteran Za’Darius Smith at last year’s trade deadline, filling some of the void left when star Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury. The Lions could turn back to the position this year, with one analyst predicting they will look for a more marginal roster improvement by swinging a deal with the New England Patriots. Lions Could Add Veteran Pass Rusher Reporter Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports suggested the Lions could take aim at Patriots edge rusher Anfernee Jennings. Payton noted that the Lions have been connected to Jennings in the past, with ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggesting in August that Detroit might be able to land him and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. “Jennings is owed $2.5 million in 2025, about half of which is guaranteed,” Barnwell wrote. “He doesn’t appear to be in new coach Mike Vrabel’s plans, but I like him as a fit in Detroit, where the Lions could stand to add a little more edge depth.” Payton added that, now that the Patriots are near the halfway point of their season, they still don’t appear to have any big plans for using Jennings. Though he was a 16-game starter in 2024, Jennings has not started any of his five games this season and has just 1.0 sacks. “That was in August. Now we jump to October, and Barnwell was right, Vrabel has barely used Jennings,” Payton wrote. “He played 831 snaps in 2024 and looked to be a big part of the Patriots. This year, he’s played 79 snaps and has three pressures and a sack. He hasn’t been a bad player, but with the Patriots shifting how they play defense, he doesn’t seem to fit there.” Payton called Jennings a “low-cost investment” who would be owed just $5 million combined for the rest of this season and 2026. Lions Could Aim Bigger While Jennings would provide the Lions more depth in their pass-rushing group, some analysts believe they will look for a more impactful player at the trade deadline. ESPN’s Seth Walder suggested the Lions could aim for Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who is seen as one of the top pass rushers on the trade block in the coming week. “Though Al-Quadin Muhammad has taken a real step forward, the Lions could use a No. 2 edge rusher to threaten opponents (and still use Muhammad as a rotational third player),” Walder wrote. “Phillips fits the bill because of his pass rushing (his 17.1% pass rush win rate at edge is above average) and strength against the run. He currently ranks sixth in run stop win rate at edge.” The Lions could address other needs as well, including some help for their injury-struck secondary. The team has lost several of its defensive backs, and though many are on the way back from injury, Dan Campbell could always use more trusted depth for his defense.
