Bye weeks are a necessary evil. In most instances having a bye this early could spell disaster, as the Detroit Lions will have to rip off 12 straight games to finish the regular season. It could still get ugly down the line, but for now, the early bye comes at a good time. Matthew Stafford, Quandre Diggs, Danny Amendola, Mike Daniels, Darius Slay and Da’Shawn Hand are just a few guys we know about that are banged up. There’s likely more. So a few weeks off is much appreciated.
The “evil” aspect as a fan is having to wait an extended amount of time to see our favorite team play again. I don’t like waiting even one week between games. Hopefully the Lions spice up this time off by bringing in several free agents for workouts and maybe—just maybe—strike a deal for a marquee player.
I’m 99 percent sure Bob Quinn won’t buy for the sake of our entertainment, but this team is set up for a division race, and adding a guy or two could be the key to first place. They sold last year after seeing the direction was not ready yet. This year looks much more promising. So if they do make a trade, who do you want the Lions to buy on the bye?
Despite the buzz around a potential Jalen Ramsey trade, I’ve gone in another direction. The asking price for Ramsey is too high, Detroit has a solid CB group, and I doubt they’d sign him and extend Slay long term.
Enter: Chandler Jones. He checks all the boxes. A pass rusher who can play multiple positions (DE/LB). Young enough (turned 29 in February) to contribute for the duration of his contract (two years after this season at approximately $16 million per year) but not so young he’d command a Ramsey-esque ransom. And most importantly, he’s played for the Patriots so he’s probably halfway here already. As for production, he’s been one of the best at getting after the quarterback since entering the league (double digit sacks his last five seasons including 17 sacks in 2017 to lead the league).
His current team, the Cardinals, are winless with a rookie QB and coach. Acquiring younger assets through the draft should be their route.
What about the asking price? Based on his position, age and production I’m projecting he could be had for a second-round pick. If I’m being too optimistic on that price, you can add a mid rounder (fourth), if you please. He’s very good, but I’m not sure he’d command a first rounder, primarily because he’s approaching 30.
Imagine this team coming out of the bye with Jones and a rust-free Flowers on the edges. Add that to a hopeful resurgence from Snacks Harrison, along with added health to Mike Daniels and Da’Shawn Hand, and the Lions would have more than enough ammo to ruffle the feathers of any offense in the league. I’m buying Chandler at the bye, who are you buying?