Change Team:
This page lists all the 2023 Trades for the Detroit Lions. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
For updates follow me @walterfootball
- Total Trades: 4
- Average Grade: B- (83.3)
October 2023 – Trades and Signings
Lions acquire WR Donovan Peoples-Jones from Browns for 2025 6th-round pick
The Lions don’t have many weaknesses because their front office has put together a tremendous roster. Receiving depth, however, is an issue because Jameson Williams has not lived up to his first-round billing just yet. There’s still plenty of time for that to happen, but the Lions needed some help this year as they make their playoff run.
Donovan Peoples-Jones won’t move the needle very much, but he’s a solid addition for the Lions. He’ll be a fine tertiary option for Jared Goff. Peoples-Jones has always been inconsistent in Cleveland, but it never seemed as though the Browns ever figured out how to use him. Perhaps Detroit will have better luck.
I think this is fair compensation for both teams. I think the Lions come out a bit ahead, but it’s nice that the Browns could get something for a player they didn’t use enough.
Grade for Lions – B+
Grade for Browns – B
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
July 2023 – Trades and Signings
Lions acquire WR Denzel Mims, 7th-round pick from Jets for conditional 6th-round pick
It’s almost difficult to believe that Denzel Mims was once a second-round pick. Mims registered 357 receiving yards as a rookie in 2020, but has struggled since, failing to record 200 yards in any single season.
The Lions aren’t really giving anything up for Mims, and yet they can’t be declared the winners of this trade. Mims is still young, but it’s difficult to envision him achieving anything in the NFL. Really, the only benefit for Detroit is that Dan Campbell can now yell, “Shut up, Mimsy!” if he’s frustrated. It’s nice that the Jets were able to potentially upgrade a late-round choice, even if it is going from the seventh to the sixth round.
Grade for Lions – C+
Grade for Jets – B
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
April 2023 – Trades and Signings
Eagles acquire RB D'Andre Swift from Lions for swap of 7th-round picks, 2025 4th-round pick
The Eagles reportedly were interested in both Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, but both went off the board earlier than most people expected. Thus, the Eagles didn’t have a realistic chance to land either of them despite coming away with two terrific first-round picks. The Eagles still needed a running back, and the Gibbs selection was able to facilitate this trade.
With Gibbs on the Lions, Swift was suddenly available for trade. The Lions did well to unload him, and I’m not surprised the Eagles had interest. Swift is a very talented running back who is capable of going the distance whenever he touches the ball. The problem is that he seldom touches the ball because he’s always hurt. Swift hasn’t played in fewer than 13 games in any of his three NFL seasons, but he has been limited in many of the contests in which he was able to be active. Swift was constantly hindered with an injury last year, which is why he had 11 games where he saw single-digit carries.
Swift can be a dynamic player for the Eagles if he can remain healthy. That’s a big “if,” but the Eagles didn’t give up much for him, relinquishing a fourth-round pick in a couple of years. The price could be worth it, as Swift could make some big plays to help the Eagles win games.
Grade for Eagles – B+
Grade for Lions – A
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
Falcons acquire CB Jeff Okudah from Lions for 5th-round pick
It’s almost hard to believe that Jeff Okudah was the No. 3 overall pick three years ago. He hasn’t come close to living up to those expectations, struggling in his first and third seasons, and missing all but one game of the second with a torn Achilles. Okudah had suffered numerous other injuries in his first three years, which contributed to his struggles.
That said, I like that the Falcons are buying low on him. Okudah has plenty of talent, and he won’t even be 25 until February. If he can remain healthy, there’s a chance he’ll finally perform on a high level. Doing so would fill a big need in Atlanta’s secondary at a very cheap price. Conversely, if Okudah continues to struggle, losing out on a fifth-round pick won’t be the end of the world.
The Falcons definitely won this trade, but this wasn’t an awful deal for the Lions because they would have lost Okudah to free agency soon anyway. They signed Cameron Sutton and potentially plan to draft a cornerback with an early selection, so they would have obtained a replacement for Okudah anyway. Still, it’s a disappointment that their No. 3 overall pick turned into just a fifth-rounder.
Grade for Falcons – A-
Grade for Lions – C+
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
