The Detroit Lions have a decision to make as the Nov. 10 trade deadline creeps closer, and the cornerback market is one place they could look to make a move.
One name that keeps popping up is Los Angeles Chargers veteran Donte Jackson. He’s in his ninth NFL season, playing on an expiring deal with a winless Chargers team that could decide to chase draft capital instead of hanging onto veterans.
Jackson even surfaced in ESPN’s latest ranking of the top-25 players most likely to be traded, where he checked in at No. 14. Jeremy Fowler identified the Lions as one of the best landing spots for him, alongside the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.
"Corner is a position of need for several teams, and the Chargers likely could get a draft pick for Jackson," wrote ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "The 30-year-old has ball production and a reasonable contract -- a $6 million base salary. Plus, he is set to hit free agency in March."
ESPN’s Fowler and Matt Bowen gave Jackson a 25 percent chance of being dealt, which leaves plenty of uncertainty. Still, that number could climb if the Chargers keep sliding.
Los Angeles also has two young corners in Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, which could make Jackson easier to move if the team wants to lean into its younger talent.
There are real reasons to hesitate, though. Jackson’s injury history is part of the equation, and he’s been out since Oct. 4 with a hamstring issue. He was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, so a return this week would give him a chance to show he’s healthy and raise his value before the deadline.
From a football standpoint, he wouldn’t arrive as some game-changing shutdown corner. His play has been uneven.
But for Detroit, the price tag could be manageable, with a Day 3 pick likely enough to get something done. That fits the kind of trade market Brad Holmes has worked in during his time as general manager.
Detroit already mixed and matched at corner in the Week 7 win over Green Bay, which suggests confidence in the current group. Even so, another veteran would help with depth and could push the competition in that room.
Jackson’s career has taken him from Carolina to a one-year stop in Pittsburgh and then to the Chargers before last season. He’s built a reputation for being dependable, and a move to Detroit would put him in line for the kind of playoff opportunity he’s chasing. The situation would also echo the one that brought Za'Darius Smith to the Lions.
For Detroit, the biggest box to check is health. If Jackson is medically ready, he’d give the Lions steady depth right away and a chance to become more than that, potentially stepping in as a starter and impact piece opposite D.J. Reed.
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