Lions draft night trade pairs $21 million DE with Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson, forming nasty duo

One of the most exciting times of the NFL season is here: it’s draft day. By tonight, fans will know the newest addition to their team. A former college star now has the chance to become one of the biggest names in the league. Everyone is just waiting to hear Cam Ward’s name called by the Tennessee Titans.

On draft night, anything can happen. For example, just last year, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 million deal, but still used the No. 8 pick to draft Michael Penix Jr. The move was unsettling to some but ultimately paid off, as Cousins went on to have a horrendous slump.

Trades are heating up as the draft draws near. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants have had their phones ringing, though it remains to be seen whether they’ll pull the trigger on a deal. One team to watch closely is the Detroit Lions. With just one move, they have the potential to create one of the league’s most dominant defensive lines. Detroit could acquire Trey Hendrickson in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.

Hendrickson has been dealing with significant contract issues with the Bengals—so much so that he was granted permission to seek a trade. A move to the Lions would be massive. He’d have the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl, but there’s one key piece still in play.

Aidan Hutchinson is nearly ready to return from injury. If Detroit pairs him with Hendrickson on opposite ends, they could create absolute chaos for opposing offensive lines. This move would significantly bolster the Lions’ roster.

Hutchinson is expected to be ready for OTAs in a limited capacity. He’s already wreaked havoc on offenses across the league, but adding Hendrickson would be the icing on the cake for Detroit.