Detroit Lions set maximum offensive trade deadline

The Detroit Lions are just days away from the NFL trade deadline.

While many believe the team’s biggest need is defense, there are ways a team can use the trade deadline to improve its offense. The positions of wide receiver and offensive tackle are somewhat scarce, but both groups are led by an All-Pro starter.

Here are 10 forwards the Lions could trade for at Tuesday’s trade deadline.

BY Evan Neal

Neal is a former top draft pick who fell out of favor with the New York Giants. He did not start for the Giants, behind veteran Jermaine Eluemunor. As a result, he could be moved within the prescribed time limit.

Detroit has solid interior depth, but the tackle position is thinner with Dan Skipper and Giovanni Manu being the only backup tackles. As a result, adding Neal as depth could benefit.

WR Tee Higgins

Tee Higgins played an important role in the Bengals passing attack, but the team struggled to close out games and win games early in the year. As a result, the team may decide to sell off its assets if it fails to win on Sunday.

Higgins is one of the best receivers, if not the best, potentially available at this year’s deadline. While the Lions have plenty of weapons, Higgins would give them the opportunity to get even richer on the outside.

TE Harrison Bryant

The Lions have two reliable tight ends on offense in Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, a 1-2 punch. Detroit also recently made changes at the position by releasing Parker Hesse, who had been the team’s starting point guard throughout the early part of the season.

That leaves Detroit with just two tight ends on its active roster. Further changes could come after Shane Zylstra is promoted to the lineup for the third week in a row, so the Lions will have to decide whether to move him to the active roster permanently or not this week. Otherwise, a deal for a player like Bryant, who was usurped by Brock Bowers, could be a good deal.

O.G. Andrus Pete

Pete is a veteran option who could help bolster interior depth on the offensive line. While the starting lineup includes young players such as Michael Niese, Colby Sorsdal and Christian Mahogany, Kayode Awosika is the only player to start multiple games in his career.

As a result, a veteran player like Pete could help bolster the depth should the Lions need someone who can step up.

WR Mike Williams

Williams is seen as a likely trade candidate after the New York Jets acquired Davante Adams two weeks ago. The veteran still has a lot to give and could be traded back to his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Lions seem to have found their big physical option in Tim Patrick, so this need doesn’t seem too dire. Still, Williams is an intriguing name.

MORE: Latest Lions trade news

WR Darius Slayton

Slayton is a different type of player than Williams, but he is consistent and still a solid contributor. At 6-foot-1, he has the potential to be a standout player in Ben Johnson’s offense.

The veteran had four catches for 108 yards against the Giants last week on Monday and is expected to be coveted by teams looking for help at the deadline.

TE Daniel Bellinger

Bellinger is another potential trade option to add depth to the Lions tight end room. After a strong first two years of his career, Bellinger caught just three passes this year despite being active for eight games.

WR KJ Osborne

Osborne should be a familiar name to Lions fans thanks to his time in Minnesota with the Vikings. Now with the Patriots, Osborne has just seven catches for 57 yards in six games this season.

Last year, the Lions traded for Detroit native Donovan Peoples-Jones. Could they add a Ypsilanti native to Osborne this year? How the current situation with Jameson Williams plays out could be telling heading into Tuesday.

OL Ben Cleveland

Cleveland could be another option to add depth to the offensive line, especially in the interior. He hasn’t been able to be a consistent contributor for the Baltimore Ravens, but he has the potential to find his niche elsewhere with a new team.

The Lions have veterans in Kevin Zeitler and Graham Glasgow, so having reliable insurance in that zone will be important late in the season.

WR Kendrick Bourne

With the Patriots struggling to get wins and playing with a young quarterback, Bourne could be a welcome asset. Injuries have hampered Bourne the past two seasons, with him playing in eight games last year and four this year.

If the Lions feel like they’re still missing something at wide receiver, it might make sense for a veteran like Bourne to reach out and try to acquire.