Copyright yardbarker
The NFL trade deadline is right around the corner on Nov. 4. We know that the Detroit Lions are already making calls looking for an edge rusher. With that in mind, we will look at each edge rusher that could be available. We’ll put together a proposal, go over the potential cost of each deal, and what the Lions could get from each player. So far, we’ve covered Titans edge rusher Arden Key, Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, and Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Lions trade proposal for Patriots edge rusher Anfernee Jennings This is an interesting one for a couple of reasons. The first is that the Patriots just made two trades on Tuesday night, and they're apparently not done yet. The other is that Jennings has already been linked to the Lions this year. Before the season, ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggested the Lions could send the Patriots and a 2026 sixth-round pick for Jennings and a 2026 seventh-round pick. This was his reasoning:“There was a time when New England once looted the Lions for a talented, two-way linebacker who didn’t fit their system and landed an underrated player in Kyle Van Noy," Barnwell wrote. "The Lions are here to get their revenge. A former third-round pick by previous Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Jennings is a stout run defender on the edge who had nine quarterback knockdowns last season across 831 defensive snaps. He isn’t a great pass rusher, but he can still be a valuable part of a roster as an early-down edge defender. "Jennings is owed $2.5 million in 2025, about half of which is guaranteed. 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. Josh Paschal is expected to miss the first month of the season, and they can’t be sure of what they’ll get from Marcus Davenport, who has been limited to just six games over the past two seasons because of injuries. Jennings would be a reasonable backup end for the Lions with the potential to play more if needed. The cost — a swap of late-round picks — wouldn’t be prohibitive.”That was in August. Now we jump to October, and Barnwell was right, Vrabel has barely used Jennings. 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. With Detroit, he could get back to playing his style, and like Barnwell mentioned, Davenport is hurt, and who knows when or if we'll ever see Paschal play for the Lions again. Jennings could be a solid fit, and the Lions basically have to give up nothing for him to get here. Barnwell's offer is nice, but this one feels better. Lions get: Anfernee JenningsPatriots get: 2026 7th-round pickThe Lions would owe him about $5 million combined for the rest of this year and next. It's such a low-cost investment that it would actually be a little shocking if Brad Holmes didn't do it. Keep a close eye on this one.
