Detroit Lions: Everson Griffen trade a brilliant push at deadline

The Detroit Lions have traded for Everson Griffen, a stellar move for the franchise.

The Detroit Lions have pulled off a trade for defensive end Everson Griffen. The former Viking star is now back in the NFC North and, this time, he’ll be sporting Honolulu Blue. Griffen was most recently a part of the floundering Dallas Cowboys as they picked him up on the season’s eve. Given the Cowboys’ plight, it made sense that they’d want to move him on. It makes even more sense for the Detroit Lions to bring him to the Motor City.

The veteran comes to Detroit off the back of an eight-sack year in 2019, while he also notched 24 quarterback pressures. While it is understandable that a 32-year-old defensive end will not be as good as he was five years ago, he is still good. That figure of 24 pressures was the third-best total in his career, and he already has 18 this year.

When you consider Detroit’s constant struggles at generating a pass rush, bringing Griffen in for a conditional sixth-round pick is a no-brainer. Griffen is a big-bodied, powerful man with great length, something the Lions covet in their defensive players.

Furthermore, the Lions defense has finally found a pulse; in the last two games, the Lions run defense has been solid. Detroit has restricted teams to less than 100 yards rushing in both of those games. Adding another powerful player who can line up outside or inside and really get strong penetration is huge for the Lions. The fact that this opens up more strategic elements for the Lions is also a massive bonus.

Versatility is a game-changer for the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions defensive front now looks very good. They have a variety of personnel and skills to use in various ways. The Lions have now found four solid run-stopping players in the middle while Romeo Okwara is improving in the pass rush. Griffen’s addition now allows Matt Patricia to be even more creative in using his front seven.

We saw an instance of this in Week 7 against Atlanta when the Lions dropped Trey Flowers into coverage and he batted the ball down. If the ability to stop the run stays and Griffen adds to it, the Lions can force teams into uncomfortable situations.

The linebacker group is not good in Detroit. Adding another powerful rusher who can set the edge in the run game could be vital. Griffen brings experience and divisional know-how to the defense. He will also be a strong leader for a team, starting to find key leaders in its position groups.

Like Peterson or Jamie Collins, Griffen will be a great guy to have in the room. General manager Bob Quinn is on the hot seat; a move like this demonstrates he is a shrewd operator and has helped address a huge need for his team.

At 3-3, the Lions have a chance of pushing for the playoffs. Quinn has now doubled down and brought a key player in a big position for minimal cost. The Lions needed pass rush help, and they have brought in a veteran who knows exactly what to do.

If the Detroit Lions are to make a run, the defense needs to stay consistent and have the ability to pressure quarterbacks and stop the run. This trade is just what this team needed. Now the Lions need to make it count on the field.