Lions trade Darius Slay, add much needed 2020 NFL Draft capital

Cornerback Darius Slay was awaiting a trade and has now landed in Philadelphia with the Eagles, as the Lions add much-needed 2020 NFL Draft capital

The Detroit Lions agreed to trade cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 3rd-round pick, pick 85, and a 5th-round pick, pick 166 in the 2020 NFL Draft. The trade appears to be a win-win for both parties.

Slay has been expecting a trade for some time and with the Lions signing former Atlanta corner Desmond Trufant, Detroit’s front office felt comfortable enough to make the deal.

Slay agreed to a three-year, $50M deal shortly after the trade went through.

Congrats to my guy!!!! Hope that speeds up my trade process!! https://t.co/ZQHO3NCGuE
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) March 19, 2020

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For the Lions end of the trade, Detoit now has nine selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. Having looked to free agency to fill holes, such as Halapoulivaati Vaitai for five-years $45M and the aforementioned Trufant for two-years $21M, Detroit has created some flexibility for itself come April.

Though the ultimate prize for head coach Matt Patricia and his staff would be Ohio State’s Chase Young, the Lions are now in a position to feel comfortable moving back should Washington stay put at pick number two, or rolling with the best player available with the third pick. That could very well be Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. Still, with eight other picks now at its disposal, the Lions can build depth behind its free-agent signings.

For the Eagles, the glaring need at corner is somewhat eased with Slay on lockdown versus the league’s top receivers, including the Cowboys’ recent resigning of Amari Cooper.

Philadelphia now holds eight selections in the draft. Still sitting at 21, the Eagles could look to replace the departed Malcolm Jenkins with a new strong safety such as Alabama’s Xavier McKinney or LSU’s Grant Delpit.