Pros and Cons of Detroit Lions Trading for Patrick Surtain II

Should Detroit make a trade for the talented Broncos cornerback?

The Detroit Lions are off to a fast start in 2023, holding a 4-1 record over the first five weeks of the season. 

Though the beginning of the season has been full of optimism, there are still areas to improve. Defensively, the Lions have been solid. Through five weeks, they've been amongst the NFL's best units while ranking 18th in passing yards against. 

The secondary has been up and down with Cam Sutton and Jerry Jacobs playing the majority of reps at cornerback. Emmanuel Moseley returned to the fold Sunday, but left with an injury after just two snaps. 

With the lack of cornerback depth in mind, the Lions could make a move that would shake up the rest of the NFL in trading for Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II. 

Off to a 1-4 start, the Broncos have been disappointing in their first season under Sean Payton. They've struggled on both sides of the ball, and changes may be coming soon as they look to right the ship. 

Surtain has been one of the league's best young cornerbacks. In his third NFL season, he's logged a 63.5 Pro Football Focus coverage grade and a 66.4 overall defensive grade. That mark is second on the Broncos' defense. 

Given that he was drafted in 2021, he will remain on his rookie deal through this season and the next. As a result, trading for him would result in the Lions taking on a team-friendly contract while maximizing their window to win with a talented cornerback. 

Surtain and Sutton would give the team two exceptional cornerbacks, while allowing Jacobs to still contribute in a depth role. It would also bolster Detroit's talented youth in the secondary, as rookie Brian Branch and second-year Safety Kerby Joseph have been exceptional to start their careers in deep part of Aaron Glenn's defense. 

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The Alabama product is adept at playing man coverage, as he possesses the length and speed to stay in front of the best wide receivers. At 6-foot-2, he would be a better matchup than Sutton for the likes of Justin Jefferson, whom Detroit will see twice later this season when it takes on Minnesota. 

The issue with trading for Surtain would come in the form of Draft capital. It's been long documented how Lions' GM Brad Holmes covets his picks, and given his track record for finding talent it's not hard to see why. 

Trading for the talented youngster would likely be expensive in this form. However, the ability to get a budding star who would contribute instantly would be worth parting with even as much as a first-round pick. 

To put it plainly, his instant production would likely outweigh that of a late-round first that Detroit would select in the 2024 NFL Draft should it sustain its winning ways. 

If Holmes sees fit, a trade of this caliber could wind up being both a massive win and a game-changer for the Lions' playoff hopes in 2023 and beyond.