The Detroit Lions are a team that a lot of people are high on heading into the 2023 season. Despite missing the playoffs last season, they finished the 2022 campaign on a high note, winning eight of their last 10 games. That includes a Week 18 season finale victory on the road over their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers, keeping them out of the postseason as well.
That finish, coupled with upgrades made this offseason, has led to expectations on the Lions for the first time in a long time. Possessing one of the most explosive offensive units in the NFL, the focus this offseason was on defense.
The secondary was revamped as the Lions signed cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and safety C.J. Garnder-Johnson. In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Detroit used one of their selections on Iowa linebacker, Jack Campbell.
All three players should help the defense immensely, but if the opportunity presented itself to further upgrade that unit, the Lions would strongly consider it. An ideal spot to upgrade would be the second line of defense, finding a long-term piece to join Campbell.
One player that could pique their interest is Patrick Queen of the Baltimore Ravens. Queen was linked as a trade target for the Lions by Alex Kay of Bleacher Report and the fit would make a lot of sense.
Queen’s future doesn’t look to be in Baltimore. Not only did they decline the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, but they also selected linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round. With linebacker Roquan Smith signing a record-setting extension, there may not be room for Queen with the Ravens.
What could a deal between the Ravens and Lions look like? Kay suggested that Detroit send a 2024 second-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for the talented linebacker. Coming off of a career season in 2022, Queen would be a big upgrade for Detroit.
Set to turn only 24 years old, he has plenty of good football left in the tank. Alex Anzalone has been a solid veteran contributor for the Lions, but had a PFF grade of only 59.2 last season; Queen had a 70.0 and is only scratching the surface of his potential.
