The Detroit Lions have filled some roster holes through the NFL draft and undrafted free agency, but one analyst believes they can hit the trade block to finalize one key position.
The Lions added some edge rushers during the draft, but still appear to be thin at their interior defensive line. SI.com’s Christian Booher believes they can change that by targeting Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle T.J. Slaton.
Lions Could Need Help in the Middle
As Booher noted, the Lions added edge rushers Derrick Moore and Tyre West during the draft, giving Aidan Hutchinson some help in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
“On the other hand, they are lacking some depth on the defensive line after losing Roy Lopez and electing not to re-sign DJ Reader,” Booher wrote.
The 6-foot-5, 340-pound Slaton is coming off a season where he made career bests with 52 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, and seven quarterback hits. Booher suggested that the Bengals could be willing to part with Slaton, who may have fallen down their depth chart after a pair of offseason additions.
“In terms of options on the trade market, one name that is eye-catching is Cincinnati Bengals interior defensive lineman T.J. Slaton. The Bengals have made some additions over the course of the offseason, and as a result Slaton could be a player they’re willing to move.
“Cincinnati was busy making some moves this offseason, inking Jonathan Allen to a deal and trading their first-round pick to the New York Giants in exchange for veteran defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.”
Though the Lions do have some cap space at their disposal, Booher suggested that Slaton would be a cost-effective addition and could likely be landed with a Day 3 draft pick.
“Slaton’s contract is certainly affordable, as he is set to make a base salary of $5.72 million and a prorated signing bonus of $2.5 million,” Booher wrote. “The Lions have the cap space to take this on, and with just one year left on his deal it would not be a costly or long-term commitment that could prevent them from retaining their young talent.”
Lions Add New Defensive Tackle
The Lions have already started addressing their defensive line after the NFL draft, signing free agent Jay Tufele. The former Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick has played for three different teams, appearing in 46 games with seven starts while racking up 56 total tackles, one pass defensed, three tackles for a loss, and 0.5 sacks.
As Scout Springgate of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, Tufele adds some important depth for the Lions.
“The addition of Tufele will provide depth at a spot where the Lions’ ranks thinned this offseason, after starter DJ Reader still remains unsigned and backup Roy Lopez returned to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency,” Tufele wrote. “While Tufele isn’t a pure nose tackle per se, he does bring Detroit added size and strength to the position, which now includes rookies Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West.”
The Lions still have more room for additions before moving into optional practices later this month, with three open spots on their 90-man roster.
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