Detroit Lions trade rumors: NFL writers would love to see these deals

Will the Detroit Lions add more talent to the roster before the 2023 NFL trade deadline on Halloween?

General manager Brad Holmes has until 4 p.m. Tuesday to make a trade to bolster the roster after a 5-2 start. The Lions could add a piece to help for the playoff push, especially as injuries have piled up.

The 38-6 blowout loss last week to the Baltimore Ravens only amplified calls from Lions fans to be aggressive and shop for more talent, particularly on defense, before the deadline. The Lions own seven picks in the 2024 draft, which will be in Detroit, including Minnesota's third-rounder, and nine picks in 2025 that could be moved in a trade.

Here is what Free Press Lions beat writer Dave Birkett and national NFL media are saying about potential Lions trades in the build-up to the deadline:

Detroit Free Press: Panthers OLB Brian Burns

In his most recent mailbag, our man Birkett broke down some potential trade targets for the pass rush and in the secondary. In a make-them-say-no mindset, he suggested two of the top pass-rushers in the NFC, Carolina's Brian Burns and Minnesota's Danielle Hunter, as two of the main targets that could help Detroit.

"I'd be looking for difference makers in any deal I make, so I'd shoot for the moon with the best edge rushers who may or may not be available, Brian Burns and Danielle Hunter," Birkett wrote. "The Carolina Panthers reportedly turned down two first-round picks and a second-round choice for Burns last season, so he won't come cheap. But he's the best potential deadline pickup in my eyes."

Birkett also mentioned two Denver players, cornerback Justin Simmons and wide receiver Courtland Sutton, as two players that could contribute right away and are potentially available in the Broncos' ongoing fire sale. However, the most important thing he wrote is Holmes and coach Dan Campbell will not make a trade simply to make a trade — the fit and chemistry are paramount.

"There are locker room and salary considerations that factor into every deal. Dan Campbell is big on chemistry, so the Lions will be careful not to disrupt the good thing they have going."

DETROIT LIONS MAILBAG: Breaking down trade possibilities as deadline nears

NFL.com: Colts S Julian Blackmon

NFL.com suggested the Lions address the injuries in the secondary with a trade for Indianapolis safety Julian Blackmon. Blackmon is in the final year of his rookie deal and has experience playing at both safety positions and nickel back, which could come in handy to try to replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley.

Blackmon has appeared in all seven of the Colts' games this season, amassing 50 total tackles and two interceptions from the nickel and strong safety spots.

"The Lions' secondary is banged up and could use aid," NFL.com's Kevin Patra wrote. "Blackmon is the type of versatile defender who could help Detroit cover its injury woes."

Pro Football Focus: Panthers CB Donte Jackson

PFF suggested a different name from Carolina's defense: cornerback Donte Jackson. Jackson is in his fifth year with the Panthers and could be expendable for the league's only winless team. Jackson has 15 total tackles in five games this season and has 14 career interceptions.

"Jackson has played in various different schemes over the past few seasons and should be able to adapt to Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme, which has also continued to evolve around the talent in Detroit," PFF's article says.

He has two years left on his contract but his 2023 salary is the minimum after it was converted to a bonus in the offseason. PFF also mentioned Carolina cornerback C.J. Henderson, a former top-10 pick, as an option in the final year of his deal.

OPINION: Detroit Lions don't need an NFL trade deadline upgrade. They should still make one.

Yahoo Sports: Cardinals WR Marquise Brown

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is a name getting thrown around because of his talent and the Arizona Cardinals' rebuild trajectory. Yahoo's Charles Robinson reported another front office said Detroit was interested in the speedy slot receiver.

"Cardinals wideout Marquise Brown is another name that came up with a line drawn to the Lions by another front office," Robinson wrote. "And one team that has been doing some work on Carolina Panthers edge Brian Burns seemed to think Detroit could be a trade rival for his services. This also might be the only team that makes sense in a blowout offer for (Denver cornerback Patrick) Surtain, given how it would fit Detroit’s future salary stack on defense."

Brown is currently on the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. He has 32 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season.

Pro Football Focus: Commanders DE Chase Young, Jets DE Carl Lawson

PFF's Brad Spielberger identified the Lions as a fit for a few different pass rush candidates. Chase Young was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, but a knee injury midway through the 2021 season derailed his trajectory. Young, 24, had his fifth-year option declined in April and will be a free agent after the season. But he has come back strong with five sacks in six games in 2023. Washington will have interest in re-signing Young to a multi-year deal, but has a decision to make with fellow edge rusher Montez Sweat also in the final year of his rookie deal. Young would likely cost a premium draft pick.

Carl Lawson, a former fourth-round pick in 2017 from Auburn by the Cincinnati Bengals, is on a Jets team stacked with good defensive line play. The 28-year-old had 17½ sacks over the past three seasons, but has been shut out in four games with the Jets this year and has just three tackles. He has so far played 24% of the team's defensive snaps, down from 58% last season, his first with the Jets. He could come at a far cheaper cost than Young.

CBS Sports: Brian Burns

Carolina's star rusher is a popular answer for the Lions among NFL media. Burns is in the final year of his contract with the worst team in the NFL so far, making him a prime target to be moved for future draft compensation.

His age (25) and production (42 sacks, 132 tackles and eight forced fumbles in 70 career games) could make him a prime target to put alongside Aidan Hutchinson for a elite pass rush.

"The front office should reward Dan Campbell and the rest of the roster by showing them they are all-in on this season with a trade for Panthers star pass rusher Brian Burns," CBS' article says.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions trade rumors: NFL writers would love to see these deals