NFL rumors: Lions latest draft visit signals possible trade motivation

April 12, 2023 ndowd

The Lions have put the league on notice with their most recent prospect visit, suggesting that Detroit may want to move up the draft board in April.

The Detroit Lions drafted Aidan Hutchinson second overall last year, but they’re not yet done reshaping their defensive line just yet.

Detroit could pair Hutchinson with yet another top-five prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft: Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. The young edge-rusher is visiting the franchise sometime this week, and depending on how that meeting goes, the Lions may be incentivized to trade into the top five and nab their defensive line core for the future.

The Lions are one pick outside the top-five at No. 6 overall, and most analysts are projecting that Anderson will be taken by then; even though several quarterback-needy teams possess the top of the draft board, Anderson just has too much talent to pass up.

The wheels are set in motion. Will the Lions make the gutsy move to get Anderson in late April?

The #Lions will host Alabama edge Will Anderson Jr. for a visit later this week, per sources.

One of the draft’s cleanest and most talented prospects, Anderson figures to be gone by Detroit’s pick at No. 6. A possible candidate to trade up? pic.twitter.com/Ge77EGOLpa

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 11, 2023

Lions have their eye on Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. in NFL Draft

The Lions defense was a sore point in 2022, ranked 30th in the league in opponent passing yards per game.

So far this offseason, the Lions have already patched up holes at cornerback and safety and retained a few cornerstone pieces in the backfield. One major area of concern is the defensive line, and Detroit will have plenty of options from Day 1 to Day 3 in the draft to reinforce that position.

Pairing the best option of them all, Anderson, with Hutchinson in the trenches would create a dynamic defensive duo that could be key to helping the Lions maintain more consistency in 2023.

Anderson feasted on offenses during his time in Alabama and proved to be a dominant pass-rusher and run-blocker with unanimous starting potential. He finished his college career with 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss and would take some of the burden off of Hutchinson as opponents would have to account for two edge-rushers with skyscraper-high ceilings.

There’s no question Anderson could fit well in Detroit. The bigger question is, who would Detroit trade up with to nab him? Houston, Arizona, Indianapolis, or Seattle may soon get a call….

source