The Detroit Lions are currently just one game back of first in an NFC North division that has been plagued by inconsistent play from top to bottom, but they have not ruled out selling off at least one key piece before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the Lions have been fielding offers for wide receiver Golden Tate. While the reporter notes that Detroit would have to be “blown away” by an offer, it may not be all that difficult to blow them away.
A couple notes from The Aftermath with 24 hours until trade deadline: #Raiders still shopping veterans, including Bruce Irvin, and keep an eye on Golden Tate, though the #Lions would have to be blown away to move him. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/nAZW6d35bQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 29, 2018
“Tate’s 30 years old and still highly productive, but he’s in a contract year so you’re talking about an eight- or nine-game rental,” Pelissero said. “Think something in the range of a mid-round draft back, maybe a fourth-rounder to make the Lions move.”
Tate is still owed the remainder of the $7 million he is making this season, so he’s not exactly a bargain. That said, he is on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the third consecutive season and has been one of the most durable players in football, never missing a game with the Lions and sitting out just one since 2011.
Some have linked Tate to a top AFC team that could be in the market for another receiver, but midseason trades are tough to facilitate in the NFL.
