The Detroit Lions may have an issue in their secondary unit, but it could be solved by the NFL trade deadline. As passers are having success against them, they may look to add an experienced defender to their roster before November 10. Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James is now being connected to the Lions. He would surely add some experience to the team, but his contract and injury issues could make the decision a bit tougher for the Lions.
Why the Detroit Lions could target Derwin James
The Detroit defense was last in pass defense during Week 7. This has made the secondary a target ahead of the trade deadline.
“The Chargers signed James to a three-year, $75.6 million extension in May,” Daniel Popper of the wrote Athletic. “He has played his entire career for the Chargers, but the organization needs to consider all options at this stage. Even with the extension, the Chargers would take on only $9 million in dead money in 2027.”
With 8 years of safety experience who could play near the line of scrimmage as a nickel defender, James gives an impactful update for a defense. Right from his NFL debut in 2018, he has been named to five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams.
To make James a part of the team, the Lions would need to consider how he would mesh with the other players, especially with Safety Brian Branch expected to return from injury in Week 7.
Branch also took snaps in the team’s nickel package. With James and Branch, the team could have two versatile safeties. It is unclear if Detroit planned to switch up their defensive backfield or continue to shore up their back end once Branch returned.
Derwin James’ contract and injury history could complicate a trade
The financial side of a potential deal presents a bigger challenge. The Chargers signed James to a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension in May.
According to Popper, an acquiring team would need to be comfortable with his $17.5 million fully guaranteed base salary for 2027. James is expected to carry a $20.5 million salary cap hit that year.
Detroit would have to weigh those costs against its other contract commitments, including the potential situation involving tight end Sam LaPorta. James’ cap hits were set to rise in 2028 and 2029, although the Lions could release him before the 2028 season with a $6 million cap hit.
“There is going to be a lot of chatter about hybrid safety Derwin James ahead of this deadline, too, and people I talk to believe the demand for a positionless defender with that unique skill set will be high enough that he could get moved,” NFL insider Jason La Canfora wrote.