For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Lions are the talk of the football world. There are a lot of people excited about their prospects for the 2023 season after how well they finished out the 2022 campaign.
The Lions went 9-8, winning eight of their last 10 games. While they just missed out on the playoffs, their victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 18 at Lambeau Field kept their NFC North rivals out of the postseason as well.
Heading into the offseason, the Lions knew if they wanted to take that next step, they had to improve their defense. For how explosive the offense is, the defense was leaky. They hemorrhaged points and yardage at an alarming rate, which led to the overhaul of the secondary and the selection of linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
While the Lions will be improved on that side of the ball, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add some more talent. That is exactly what Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has suggested that they do before the 2023 season starts.
Ballentine mentioned Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart as an ideal trade target for the Lions. The Lions’ defensive front looks a little suspect depth wise and Stewart would help upgrade things on the interior, where they are weakest.
What could a trade between the Lions and Colts look like? Ballentine suggested that Detroit send a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to Indianapolis in exchange for the underrated defensive tackle.
Stewart may not be a household name, but he can certainly get the job done in the trenches. Last season he recorded career highs with 70 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits and 4.0 sacks.
With DeForest Buckner already being locked into a long-term deal, the Colts likely aren’t going to extend one to Stewart at the conclusion of his contract. Playing things out on an expiring deal in 2023, moving him for a Day 2 pick would make a lot of sense.
For the Lions, Stewart would be a huge upgrade between Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston. Paired with the rising Alim McNeill, the Lions would have a nice duo on the interior to help against the run and create some pressure as pass rushers.
