There is nothing better than waking up to a blockbuster trade that involves your favorite team.
That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday morning when I woke up to a tweet from Ian Rappoport reporting that the Detroit Lions the New York Giants for DL Damon Harrison.
http://gty.im/1032308666
So, how should Lions GM Bob Quinn be graded on this trade?
Let me begin by saying that I have never been more confident in handing out a grade than I am now. (Well, giving the Teez Tabor draft pick an F was pretty solid too)
By acquiring Harrison, Quinn was able to solidify the Lions’ biggest weakness, stopping the run. Harrison, who many refer to as “Snacks,” has led the NFL in run stops in each of the past three seasons and through Week 7 of this season, he is No. 2 in the league in that category.
In trading for Damon Harrison, the Lions have added the NFL's leader in defensive stops on the defensive interior in each of the past three seasons. pic.twitter.com/Oq3a8t0VpV
— PFF (@PFF) October 24, 2018
But what makes this trade even better is that Harrison, who is 29-years-old, is currently signed through the 2020 season, which means this move not only helps the Lions now but also in the future.
The #Lions acquire DT Damon Harrison at cap hits of $4.5, $7M, $9.25M thru 2020.
The #Giants take on $5M of dead cap in 2018, & another $3.2M in 2019, which saves them $7M next year. https://t.co/r6Fzkdz0et
— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 24, 2018
Wait, it gets even better. In order to acquire Harrison, who was an All-Pro just two seasons ago while playing with the Giants, the Lions only had to give up a 5th round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft! Following the trade, the Lions still have eight total picks in the 2019 Draft.
Lions current 2019 draft picks:
First round: 1
Second round: 1
Third round: 0 (Da'Shawn Hand trade)
Fourth round: 1
Fifth round: 1
Sixth round: 2 (Johnson Bademosi trade)
Seventh round 2: (Akeem Spence trade)https://t.co/XJiu0iHtKp— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 24, 2018
FINAL GRADE: A+++++
Like I said earlier in this piece, this is the easiest grade I have ever given out. By acquiring Damon Harrison from the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick, Lions’ GM Bob Quinn immediately improved his team’s biggest weakness, stopping the run. Because of that, he receives the highest grade I have ever given a Lions’ general manager.
This move also shows me that Quinn is serious about winning now and that this may not be the last move he makes before the Oct. 30 NFL trade deadline.
