Originally published on Monday. Updated following Quandre Diggs trade.
On Sunday, the Detroit Lions lost 42-30 to the Minnesota Vikings, dropping the Lions to 2-3-1 on the season. Though the schedule lightens up (at least on paper) moving forward, Lions’ GM Bob Quinn will have some important decisions to make as the Oct. 30th NFL trade deadline approaches.
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Well, Quinn has already started and from the looks of it, he is ready to wheel and deal. On Tuesday, Quinn traded S Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks and a seventh-round draft pick for a fifth-round pick.
Though this move does not confirm the Lions will be sellers at the trade deadline as Quinn was a player who seemed to be declining as of late and very well may have been released in the offseason, here are three more players who could be dealt before Oct. 30 deadline.
Taylor Decker
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When the Detroit Lions selected Taylor Decker in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, they were hoping to get a left tackle who would protect Matthew Stafford for the next decade or so.
Up to this point, Decker has left much to be desired and because of that, I would be highly surprised if he ends up getting an extension past the 2020 season. If Bob Quinn can find a trade partner who is desperate for an offensive tackle, he may be able to get a deal done that would free up the $10.35 million Decker will make next season.
Marvin Jones Jr.
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This situation is similar to that of Decker (contract wise) with the exception that Marvin Jones Jr. has actually been a productive player for the Lions over the past few seasons.
That being said, Jones Jr. is 29-years-old, and there is almost no chance he gets an extension with the Lions past 2020, despite his production.
Jones is coming off a 4-touchdown performance against the Vikings and now may be the perfect time for Quinn to shop him around and sell to the highest bidder. If it happens, the Lions would save north of $9 million in 2020.
Danny Amendola
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This one is super simple.
Danny Amendola, who is 33, was brought in to be the Lions third receiver and he has pretty much lived up to that billing. Through five games, he has 20 catches for 252 yards and a touchdown, proving he still has enough gas left in the tank to help out an offense.
If the Lions can beat the Giants, expect for Amendola (along with Decker and Jones) to stick around, but IF they were to drop the game, these three players could be on the trade block and potentially dealt before Halloween.