In an attempt to improve their weak secondary, the Detroit Lions signed defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson during the offseason, but his impact was minimal due to injuries and patchy play.
It might be time for the Lions to try again this offseason by focusing on another big-name player, Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons, as Gardner-Johnson is now expected to return to free agency at some point.
The Lions might be able to find the last piece needed to make it to the Super Bowl according to a list of trades that Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon put together that could “reshape” the NFL in 2024.
“Yeah, this one isn’t as glitzy as the rest. But when you consider how close the Detroit Lions got to the Super Bowl in 2023, a deal for a game-changing defender could be the type of move that puts the team over the top in 2024,” Gagnon wrote.
Broncos Could Be Perfect Trade Partner
Simmons’ profile is ideal for Detroit, according to Gagnon, who also mentioned that a trade would provide the Broncos with much-needed cap relief.
“Simmons is on the wrong side of 30, and a Denver Broncos team that simply hasn’t been competitive can save $14.5 million by moving on ahead of a walk year for the two-time Pro Bowler, per Spotrac,” Gagnon wrote.
“Here, they can send him out of the conference to a team that could get more bang for its buck with him as a contender in 2024.”
Although Gagnon did not indicate the possible cost for the Lions to acquire Simmons, Detroit does possess seven draft picks this year and may be prepared to forfeit some in order to address such a critical need.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Trying Season
Gardner-Johnson’s season was ended by a pectoral injury sustained during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions had hoped that he could make an immediate impression in Detroit.
Despite making his comeback to the team in December, the former safety for the Philadelphia Eagles had a difficult final stretch, particularly in the team’s defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
The Lions’ defence faltered in the 34-31 defeat, as PFF pointed out, and Gardner-Johnson missed three tackles, which was a team-high. He also had a costly penalty when he was flagged for unnecessary roughness after hitting wide receiver Deebo Samuel during an interception return off Brock Purdy.
As the Lions look to bolster the secondary, Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press mentioned that they might concentrate on cornerback and mention Chidobe Awuzie as a possible free agent target.
“Assuming the price for a top cornerback available like Jaylon Johnson will be above what the Lions will pay for, a player like Awuzie could be a potential target after being a starter on the Bengals since 2021, including their run to the Super Bowl,” Ramsey wrote. “He was previously on a contract worth $7.25 million per season, and the Bengals have been drafting cornerbacks in recent years, which means Awuzie could be available, likely at a raise or similar rate as his previous deal.”