The Lions looked like they might be taking a risk when they moved David Montgomery last offseason, especially once he opened his Texans tenure with three total touchdowns in Week 1. But that early shine hasn’t held up for Houston, and Detroit has already cashed in on the deal in a big way.
Montgomery went to the Texans after Brad Holmes made it clear the door was open if the running back wanted a larger role somewhere else. Detroit’s return - interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two Day 3 draft picks - didn’t exactly jump off the page at first.
For a player who had been an important part of the offense before his role shrank late last season, it seemed light. At the same time, it wasn’t hard to see the logic of getting a depth lineman and picks back for a running back nearing the position’s usual age cliff.
What has happened since then has tilted the argument hard toward Detroit. Over the last four games after that explosive debut, Montgomery has averaged only 2.4 yards per carry and has started losing work to Woody Marks. Now he’s also dealing with a groin injury that will cost him time.
Scruggs, meanwhile, has turned into a real piece for the Lions up front. A wrist injury to center Cade Mays in early August pushed Scruggs into the starting lineup, and he has taken full advantage. Heading into Week 6, Pro Football Focus has him as the top-graded center in the league, and his 83.8 run-blocking grade at the position is also the best.
Mays is expected back when Detroit returns from its bye in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers. If he’s healthy, he should reclaim the starting job without much debate, and that could create some discussion about continuity along the offensive line. But with Christian Mahogany handling left guard well so far, Scruggs would settle into a strong backup role at all three interior spots.
And that’s where the trade really lands for Detroit. Five unexpected, and truly unexpectedly top-notch, starts from Scruggs have already delivered clear value.
Even if he never starts again this season, the Lions have gotten enough to justify the move. If Mays, Mahogany, or right guard Tate Ratledge gets hurt later, Scruggs’ importance would only climb again.
That’s why the verdict can already be drawn. The Texans still have to prove Montgomery can get healthy and be effective when he returns, while the Lions have already gotten meaningful production from their side of the deal.
Usually, this is the kind of trade you wait on. This one has given Detroit enough to call it: the Lions have won the Montgomery trade.
In Other News...
Lions May Have A Cheap Secondary Fix They Didn't Expect
Alontae Taylors situation in Tennessee is suddenly worth watching, and not just because the Titans have already started to shuffle pieces around in their secondary. The cornerback, who had built a reputation for stronger play with the Saints, has seen that stock dip since arriving in Tennessee, and now Detroit is being mentioned as a possible landing spot if the Lions decide they want another inexpensive way to bolster their back end.
For a Detroit defense that has been searching for answers in the secondary, Taylor is the kind of name that can make sense on paper: young enough to matter, experienced enough to help, and potentially available if Tennessees view of his fit keeps going south. Nothing has been finalized, but the possibility alone is enough to keep an eye on, especially if the Lions are looking for a move that could change their defensive depth without costing them much. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Defensive Blame Is Starting To Shift In A Telling Way
The Lions defensive frustrations have naturally put Kelvin Sheppard under a microscope, but the conversation around what is actually wrong in that unit is starting to broaden. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell has pushed back on the idea that the problems belong to the coordinator alone, arguing that the deeper issue is a shortage of talent in the defensive backfield, which has made the secondary easier to attack all season.
Detroit did show something to build on in Week 5, when the defense turned in a much stronger outing and gave Dan Campbell reason to sound more encouraged. Campbell praised Sheppard and the group for the progress, but he also made clear the standard has not changed, and the Lions still need more consistent play before anyone can call the defense fixed. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Tough Week 7 Test If One Defensive Issue Lingers
The Lions are headed into a Week 7 home meeting with the Packers in a spot that should draw plenty of attention, especially with Green Bay bringing a very different look than the version Detroit saw in past seasons. The Packers have made major changes in both the coaching staff and the roster, including the arrival of Jonathan Gannon as head coach along with a number of personnel moves on both sides of the ball, and that kind of turnover can make an opponent harder to project from one week to the next.
For Detroit, the bigger concern is whether a lingering defensive issue shows up again at the wrong time. The Lions can get by when their defense is organized and on schedule, but this matchup has the feel of one where any uncertainty could matter, particularly against a Packers team still sorting out its identity. If the same problem hangs around into Sunday, it could turn a straightforward divisional test into a much trickier afternoon than the Lions want. [Read more 🡒]