Lions mailbag: Detroit has just completed the Haason Reddick trade

Unsurprisingly, this week’s mailbox was flooded with questions concerning Aidan Hutchinson and how the Detroit Lions defence will handle his (likely season-ending injury). So, in this week’s Midweek Mailbag episode, we attempted to cover them all in one segment so that we could move on to the next.

The first begins with a straightforward question: who should the Lions add? Our debate focusses on two reasonably feasible options: veteran Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith and Titans defender Harold Landry. Both suit the profile of edge players that the Lions want, are on teams that are clearly in “seller” mode, and could be available at a lower price.

So what about Haason Reddick? The Lions have, at the very least, contacted the New York Jets about the disgruntled defensive end who is now plainly on the trading block. Is the Lions’ interest legit, or are they doing due diligence?

Both Erik Schlitt and I believe the Lions are simply testing the waters. Given Reddick’s protracted contract holdout, acquiring him will most likely cost the Lions not only draft capital but also significant cap space. Furthermore, the Jets have no motivation to deal Reddick to an NFC team.

“It’s a lot of obstacles to go get a guy who doesn’t quite fit what you’re looking for,” Schlitt said.

Our conversation shifts to internal choices. Not only will players step into Hutchinson’s job and be promoted from the practice squad, but the Lions may also contemplate schematic alterations now that they have lost three major edge defenders in the last month. Will the Lions play more nickel? Will they move Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal around? Will the (eventual) return of Ifeatu Melifonwu alter the equation?