Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Falcons, Lions Discussed Devonta Freeman Trade

The Falcons and Lions discussed a Devonta Freeman trade, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Lions inquired on the running back, and the two sides spoke at length, but the Falcons ultimately decided against parting with him. 

A former fourth-round pick, Freeman became the Falcons’ starter in his second season and made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2015 and 2016. Then, in 2017, the Falcons signed him to a five-year, $41.25MM extension.

Freeman lost the bulk of 2018 due to injury and he hasn’t looked like his old self thus far in 2019. In eight games, Freeman has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. Through the air, he’s got 35 catches for 272 yards and three scores.

Then again, the entire Falcons offense seems to be sagging. The Lions are among the many Freeman believers out there, but, ultimately, they could not come to terms on a would-be blockbuster.

The Falcons are still optimistic about Freeman, but they’re also realistic about the financial constraints. The 27-year-old’s signing bonuses are on the books through 2021 and that’s a serious barrier to moving on from him.

Deadline Fallout: Penny, Rams, Adams

Since using a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny last year, the Seahawks have not given him a lead backfield role. They preferred Chris Carson and Mike Davis leading the ball-carrying group last season and have Carson entrenched atop the depth chart this year. As such, the Lions expressed interest in Penny prior to Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline, John Clayton of ESPN 710 AM Seattle notes. Seattle sought a second-round pick for Penny, though it doesn’t sound like the team was shopping the second-year back. Penny can be under Seahawks control through 2022. The Lions have run into trouble in their backfield, losing starter Kerryon Johnson. They were interested in Kenyan Drake, but the Cardinals ended up making a deal with the Dolphins. Ty Johnson, Tra Carson and ex-Seahawk J.D. McKissic represent the Lions’ primary running back options for the stretch run.

Here is the latest deadline fallout:

  • The Dolphins will send the Rams a 2022 seventh-round pick for Aqib Talib, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. With Talib on IR until at least Week 15, the rebuilding team is likely only interested in the fifth-round 2020 choice it acquired. The 33-year-old cornerback looks headed toward free agency for the first time since 2014.
  • As for the Rams, they want to use some of the savings from this move to re-sign emerging linebacker Cory Littleton, Vincent Bonsignore of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Littleton is one of a few key Rams on expiring contracts, joining Michael Brockers and Dante Fowler in that group. Playing on a second-round RFA tender, Littleton has operated as Los Angeles’ top linebacker this year and would stand to attract considerable interest as a 2020 UFA. With a high-end Jalen Ramsey re-up coming, the Rams will be tight on cap space, however, and may have to bid farewell to a few role players — like they did this offseason.
  • Chris Harris has stuck to his guns about testing free agency this time around. He signed a five-year, $42.5MM extension with the Broncos in late 2014, and that deal became one of the most team-friendly pacts in the league in the latter part of the 2010s. The 30-year-old cornerback does not plan to sign a Broncos extension before reaching the market, Troy Renck of Denver7 notes. However, Harris has said he wants to finish his career in Denver. He and the Broncos were not close on terms this offseason, but Renck added a that third Broncos contract could be in play for the four-time Pro Bowler.
  • The Day 3 pick the Cowboys offered the Jets, in addition to the first-round pick included in the proposal, for Jamal Adams was either a fourth- or fifth-rounder, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets. The Jets wanted a first and a pair of seconds for the Pro Bowl safety, one GM Joe Douglas still calls firmly part of the team’s long-term plan, per ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini.

Lions Made Broncos Offer For Chris Harris

The 2019 trade deadline underwhelmed, when compared to the action of the offseason. Chris Harris was one of the marquee names not moved, but teams tried. One tried harder than the others, with Mike Klis of 9News tweeting the Lions were the only team to submit an offer.

Detroit proposed a deal that was not to Denver’s liking, however, making an offer that did not even meet a third-round price, per Klis. The Broncos were seeking a second-rounder for their high-end cornerback, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. Both the Eagles and Texans pursued Harris, but Houston sent a third-rounder for Gareon Conley instead. Conley can be controlled through 2021, while Harris is in a contract year.

The Broncos can now recoup a possible third-rounder in 2021, if Harris signs a lucrative free agent deal, or resume extension talks. The sides were not particularly close on that end over the summer, leading to a one-year Harris pay raise. But with Harris profiling as the team’s only reliable corner, the 30-year-old departing would create a massive need for a franchise that has other key roster deficiencies.

This news comes a day after the Lions were listening on Darius Slay. The Eagles, interestingly, pursued both Harris and Slay. Denver, Detroit and Philadelphia will keep their previous setups, with the latter two attempting to contend this season with those.

The 2-6 Broncos certainly face the prospect of Harris leaving in 2020, seeing as the corner plans to test free agency — which he did not do when he signed a 2014 extension. But John Elway has precedent for extending older corners, having re-upped a 32-year-old Champ Bailey in his initial months on the job in 2011.

Latest On Lions, Darius Slay

Lions cornerback Darius Slay has been involved in trade rumors, but it’s starting to sound like Slay might stay in Detroit. The Lions have set an extremely high asking price for the 28-year-old, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears, and that might be a barrier to a deal getting done. 

[RELATED: Eagles Pursuing Lions’ Darius Slay]

The Eagles were said to be “working hard” on a Slay trade this week, which makes sense given their failed pursuit of Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey. However, as Garafolo notes, the Eagles were only willing to go so far for Ramsey, who is much younger than Slay. Alas, Detroit’s price might be too high, even for Eagles GM Howie Roseman, who has a serious tolerance for risk and an affinity for major trades.

Slay, a two-time Pro Bowler, notched eight interceptions in 2016. He hasn’t matched that unreal level of production since, but he still rates as one of the better available cornerback options as the deadline draws near. On the flipside: He ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 52 cornerback this year, a far cry from Pro Bowl level play.

For his part, Slay would probably welcome a fresh start. Or, at least, that’s what he said in the immediate wake of the Quandre Diggs deal that shipped his friend to the Seahawks.

The Lions extended Slay in 2016 with a four-year, $50.2MM deal. He’s got one more full year on that pact, with a $10MM base salary coming to him in 2020.

Trade Notes: Chargers, Gordon, Howard

Some league officials have linked the Lions and Bills to Chargers star running back Melvin Gordon (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler). Both clubs could be in the market for running back help and both would make ample sense for Gordon – if the Bolts are willing to lower their asking price a bit.

The Chargers haven’t been too keen on moving Gordon, despite the drama-filled offseason and holdout that ventured into the regular season. It’s possible that he could be pried loose for the right price, however, since he’ll be out-of-contract following the 2019 season.

Through four games played, Gordon hasn’t looked like his old self: he’s got just 2.5 yards per carry, plus two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). Last year, in 12 contests, Gordon averaged 5.1 yards per tote with 14 TDs in total.

Here’s more from around the NFL as we gear up for trade deadline day:

  • The Dolphins are getting calls about cornerback Xavien Howard, Albert Breer of The MMQB reports. Howard says he’s not seeking a trade, and the Dolphins would do well to keep the 26-year-old for future seasons, but that’s not keeping other clubs from inquiring. Thanks to the five-year extension he inked with Miami in the offseason, Howard is under contract through the 2024 season.
  • Interest in Broncos cornerback Chris Harris seems to have cooled a bit, due in part to the asking price, Troy Renck of Denver7 hears. The Eagles and Texans were among the clubs with serious interest, but the Eagles’ D has turned things around and the Texans seem to have already address their CB needs. Meanwhile, the Broncos are paper thin at cornerback, so Renck senses that they won’t consider moving him for less than a third-round choice. Harris, meanwhile, wants to finish out 2019 in Denver, where he and his wife are expecting their fourth child.
  • In case you missed it: The Redskins are now open to trading Trent Williams.

Eagles Pursuing Lions’ Darius Slay

The Lions have received calls on Darius Slay, and Albert Breer of SI.com reports they have made the veteran cornerback available. A team in a similar NFC position is pursuing him.

Having finished second in the Jalen Ramsey sweepstakes, and having pursued Chris Harris, the Eagles are “working hard” on a Slay trade, Chris Mortensen said during a SportsCenter appearance (via SI.com). However, the Lions are setting a “very, very high” price.

In hopes of landing a third Lions contract, Slay held out from the team’s offseason program. He was unsuccessful in his extension pursuit and reported to training camp on time. Detroit extended its other offseason holdout, Damon Harrison, during camp. But nothing has emerged on the prospect of another Slay re-up.

The Lions extended Slay in 2016 to a four-year, $50.2MM deal. Unlike Harris, he has another year remaining on his contract. Coupled with Detroit’s standing in the NFC playoff picture, that will allow the Lions to hold out for a strong offer. However, after the Lions traded Quandre Diggs to the Seahawks last week, Slay said he would not object to being traded himself. Slay, 28, is due a $10MM 2020 base salary.

Slay is a two-time Pro Bowler who grades as Pro Football Focus’ No. 52 corner this season. He picked off eight passes in 2016. The Eagles have struggled against the pass this season but have Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills back in action. Howie Roseman did not address this position over the offseason, but the rumors connecting Philadelphia to Ramsey and Harris point to the team recognizing a need remains. With another report indicating an Eagles splash move may be coming, the possibility of a cornerback being added to the roster certainly exists.

Latest On Lions, Kenyan Drake

The Lions were dealt a tough blow when they lost Kerryon Johnson to a knee injury, and they’re apparently planning on replacing him with outside help. Detroit has been “aggressively scouring the running back market” for potential trades, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Kenyan Drake is expected to be dealt by Miami in the next day or so, and we’ve already heard the Lions were interested. Robinson points out that Dolphins coach Brian Flores has a longstanding relationship with Lions coach Matt Patricia, which could help facilitate a deal. While the Lions need a running back and Drake is on the move, don’t necessarily bank on him landing in Detroit. It “didn’t sound like the Lions were close to anything on the trade front,” after speaking with a source, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Trade Rumors: Hopkins, Slay, Hooper

The trade deadline is two days away, so there are plenty of rumors to pass along. Of course, many of those rumors center around this year’s non-contenders, but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says that two such teams — the Redskins and Bengals — continue to rebuff inquiries concerning veterans who should be available. Rival GMs have grown increasingly frustrated with Washington and Cincinnati, and La Canfora says opposing clubs have become resigned to the fact that they are not going to be able to swing a deal with those obstinate franchises. That means that a number of big names — Trent Williams, Ryan Kerrigan, A.J. Green, and Carlos Dunlap, to name a few — are looking more and more likely to stay put.

Now for more trade rumors from around the league, starting with another nugget out of Cincinnati:

  • Michael Lombardi of The Athletic agrees that the Bengals are likely to stand pat at the deadline for the most part, but he does believe the club will move tight end Tyler Eifert.
  • Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is decidedly not on the trading block, but teams have still called Houston to ask about the star wideout, as Jay Glazer of FOX Sports tweets. That obviously sounds like clubs doing their due diligence more than anything else, and Glazer acknowledges that it would take an awful lot for the Texans to move Hopkins.
  • The Lions have received calls on CB Darius Slay, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It would take a big offer to pry Slay from Detroit, but in the wake of Slay’s comments earlier this week, maybe the Lions will be more inclined to move him.
  • RB-needy teams have called the Seahawks to inquire on Rashaad Penny, as Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports (video link). Penny is not on the block, per se, but the 2018 first-rounder is drawing interest. In the same video, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network says Chargers RB Melvin Gordon could also be on the move.
  • Schefter reports that the 49ers have received calls on backup QB C.J. Beathard, whom Schefter suggests could be on the move.
  • The Falcons have fielded calls on DT Tyeler Davison, per Lombardi, but Atlanta has told other teams Davison will not be moved. The team is also going to hang on to TE Austin Hooper, as Schefter tweets.
  • The Giants are likely to cut Nate Solder after the season, so Lombardi believes Big Blue should go ahead and trade him now (though HC Pat Shurmur, whose job could be in jeopardy, would likely resist such a move). The Browns continue to be in the market for OT help, as Schefter writes, and the Patriots may also be interested in a reunion with Solder. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com says Solder was not a viable option for Cleveland as of the middle of last week, but that could change in the next couple of days.
  • Janoris Jenkins is another member of the Giants who could be on the move, and while he is likely open to joining a contender, he just wants New York to be transparent with their plans for him, as Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes. That sentiment was also expressed by former Giants like Landon Collins and Odell Beckham Jr., who both felt as though Shurmur and GM Dave Gettleman were not straightforward with them. Dunleavy names the Chiefs as a potential landing spot for Jenkins.
  • Interest remains heavy on Broncos vets Chris Harris Jr. and Derek Wolfe, as La Canfora writes. Denver is open to moving Harris and Wolfe, and rival GMs expect the Broncos to make those trades happen.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/19

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

New Orleans Saints

Trade Would Not Bother Darius Slay

  • Lions players were not thrilled that the team traded away locker room favorite Quandre Diggs, and Darius Slay was especially vocal about his displeasure. Slay, whose contract expires after the 2020 season, has previously said that he wants to remain in Detroit long-term. However, his tone changed this week when asked about the subject. “Anybody can get traded. I personally wouldn’t care,” Slay said of the possibility of the team trading him (via Pro Football Talk).
  • The Lions’ Week 8 injury report indicates the world will have to wait for a Darius Slay-Darius Slayton matchup. Detroit’s top cornerback will miss the Lions-Giants game due to a hamstring injury. Slay has battled this issue since Week 3. Second-year UDFA Mike Ford started in Slay’s place against the Chiefs, the one game the Pro Bowler missed, and will likely do so against New York.