The quest for a pass rusher that the Detroit Lions will seek this offseason continues.
There have been numerous alternatives explored this offseason, whether they were free agents, draft prospects, or trade candidates.
So far, the Lions have elected to keep the same core of edge rushers they had at the beginning of last season.
Fans continue to hope that will change before the 2025 season begins, and AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton has suggested another possibility the Lions should consider.
In a recent piece, Payton suggested that the Lions trade D.J. Reader to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for A.J. Epenesa.
Reader was mentioned as a potential trade candidate for the Lions shortly after this year’s draft, and his status on the team does not appear to be guaranteed.
Tyleik Williams, who will join Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, and Roy Lopez at defensive tackle, gives the squad plenty of alternatives to start the season. Alim McNeill will rejoin the group after he has recovered from his injury.
Reader played only 53% of snaps last season despite the Lions’ lack of depth at his position, and he has a $12.9 million salary charge in 2025.
The Lions could save $11.7 million from the cap hit by dealing Reader.
Trading for Epenesa might not be the most flashy option for the Lions, and he clearly has limits, but he would be an improvement for them.
Epenesa struggled to apply pressure on quarterbacks this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he only had 21 pressures in 356 pass rush snaps.
However, he was able to record six sacks for the third straight season. He also contributed to the Bills’ total of 32 tackles.
He would also cost the Lions $6.2 million in cap space, thus this move would save them a significant amount of money.
There are still some better choices available to the Lions in free agency, but this move would save them money, which appears to be the objective right now, while also providing them with a stronger option for their second edge rusher.
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