Brad Holmes’ name is no stranger to trade rumors for wide receivers, so why not discuss the latest name to hit the rumor mill?
Since taking over as general manager for the Detroit Lions , Brad Holmes’ interest in wide receivers has been both rumored and real. He traded up 20 spots to select Jameson Williams in the 2022 NFL Draft , but that was roughly a year after he had been rumored to be interested in moving up for Ja’Marr Chase on Day 1 of the 2021 draft . But even after picking Williams in 2022, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the next day on April 29 that the Lions had “an offer on the table” for star receiver Deebo Samuel , but the San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t entertain the proposal.
The rumors linking the Lions to upgrading their wide receiver room could be found at nearly every turn of the offseason. Whether it was trading for Tee Higgins , trying to sign his teammate Tyler Boyd , or even a veteran like Robert Woods , there have been plenty names floated out as a means to put this offense over the top. A potential move for a player like Higgins or Boyd would have potentially been costly in terms of draft capital, but proponents of the Lions going for broke see the team’s window open now. So, it makes sense to push all their chips to the middle of the table to thoroughly insulate Jared Goff.
Which leads us to today’s Question of the Day…
Would you approve of the Lions trading for Brandon Aiyuk?
Before getting into the personnel fit and the player, it’s just as important to consider Aiyuk’s contract situation. He’s entering the option year of his entry-level rookie contract that’s set to pay him a little over $14 million in 2024. Contract extension talks with the 49ers have, according to Aiyuk himself via Jayden Daniels TikTok, not been of mutual interest.
From the 49ers’ perspective, there’s only so much cash to hand out to skill position players. In recent years, the team has ponied up for George Kittle (five years, $75 million), Deebo Samuel (three years, $71.5 million), and most recently this offseason, Christian McCaffrey (two years, $38 million). With pick No. 31, the Niners drafted wideout Ricky Pearsall to add to an already stocked room, but considering the way talks have gone between Aiyuk and the team, it makes sense why San Francisco opted to add a wide receiver on a cost-controlled deal.
From Aiyuk’s perspective, he’s clearly established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL and deserving of a big payday. In 2023, he was the second-ranked wideout according to PFF (92.3 offense grade), and was the most efficient downfield threat not named Tyreek Hill—his 17.9 yards per reception and 3.01 yards per route both ranked third in the NFL.
However, in an offense already so loaded with talent, Aiyuk seems to get lost in the shuffle a bit when it comes to discussing the top names at his position like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Compared to those players, Aiyuk sees a lot less volume (101 targets in 2023, 31st in the NFL), but the way his efficiency and downfield production skyrocketed in 2023 on said volume is enough to realize his name belongs in those discussions of the top wide receivers.
The kind of assets Detroit would likely be required to move in order to facilitate a deal with San Francisco would be significant, so it would not be a short-term investment if the Lions were to make a move for a player like Aiyuk. Since Detroit has made quite a few cash moves this offseason like signing St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Jared Goff to massive deals at their respective positions, it’d be up to the Lions to decide if Aiyuk is the kind of player worth going “all-in” for at this point. Considering Detroit has a few skill position players still on rookie contracts like Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams, fitting Aiyuk onto the roster wouldn’t be too much of a stretch in terms of cap gymnastics in the here and now. Making an extension for Aiyuk work long term, however, would become easier if they were to use one of those players still on their rookie deal to grease the wheels on a deal…
Football personality Brett Kollmann floated this idea out on Twitter earlier in the week to mixed reactions:
I know Aiyuk to the Commanders is the hot speculative trade, but what about this:
Aiyuk to Detroit for Jameson Williams + a pick.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) June 18, 2024
What kind of pick you’d have to include along with Williams is an interesting discussion to be had, but the idea of pairing a player with a lot of untapped potential alongside draft capital could be a steep price to pay for Detroit. From a team-building perspective, though, it could make sense for both parties. The Niners would covet cheap assets like draft capital and a player teeming with potential—who also had a breakout performance against them in the NFC Championship Game—and the Lions would add a bona fide downfield receiver who is a proven commodity in this league and still just 26 years old.
So is an Aiyuk in the hand worth a Jamo and a draft pick in the bush?