Hmmmm......the Texans have Clowney and Watt on the edge.
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2018...espn-detroit-lions-1st-round-whitney-mercilus
https://www.battleredblog.com/2018/...19-first-round-pick-for-2018-first-round-pick
Texans get: Lions? 20th overall pick
Lions get: Defensive end Whitney Mercilus, Texans? 2019 first-round pick
This would be an intriguing trade for a couple of reasons. Instead of taking a risk on a first-round rookie edge rusher (or whatever the Lions would take), Detroit gets a proven talent in Mercilus at a fair price. Mercilus has two more years on a four-year contract with base salaries of just $4.75 million and $5.75 million respectively.
Mercilus has been playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 system in Houston, and while he has undoubtedly benefited from a strong defensive line in front of him, he?s performed quite well. PFF ranked him in the top 15 at his position in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016, culminating 12.0 and 7.5 sack seasons respectively.
Unfortunately, Mercilus? 2017 season was cut short due to a torn pectoral muscle in early October. He doesn?t have a long injury history and he?s expected to be fully ready by training camp, so this doesn?t appear to be a long-term concern. Additionally, Mercilus is a year younger than Ezekiel Ansah, so he could provide a longer term option than Ansah, who is on a one-year franchise tag.
And on top of that, the Lions would get the Texans? 2019 first-round draft pick, which could theoretically be even better than the 20th overall pick the Lions have this year. Though the Texans are in a pretty weak division and Deshaun Watson certainly gives them a chance to win a playoff spot, they are coming off a very disappointing 4-12 season.
Bob Quinn hasn?t been one for many draft day trades so far, but if some of their top options are gone by pick 20, this is certainly an out-of-the-box way to fill their needs for 2018 and beyond.
