The Lions need a pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Joey Bosa are all available to varying degrees: Garrett has requested a trade from the Browns, Hendrickson is seeking a trade from the Bengals and Bosa is hitting the open market after being released by the Chargers.
Between them, 15 Pro Bowls and 251 sacks. Which one makes the most sense for the Lions?
In the case of Bosa, says Mike Valenti, "You give up nothing, you spend, risk it-biscuit." For Hendrickson, "You give up a non-premium pick, non-first round, but you gotta pay the man. Super productive, but he’s on the wrong side of 30. Or, "are you staying with Football Jesus? You just give up the two first-round picks, do what you need to do and you go get Myles Garrett."
Valenti is wary of Bosa because he's only started 18 games the past three years, though he was a Pro Bowler last season. He turns 30 this summer.
He's wary of Hendrickson because he turns 31 next season and is seeking a long-term extension that could cost upwards of $35 million per year: "Do I like Trey Hendrickson? Yes. Do I like him as much as Micah Parsons? No. As much as Maxx Crosby? No. As much as Myles Garrett? Please.
"So here’s the problem: you’re going to sign him and he’s going to be on the wrong side of 30, and he's not a Hall of Famer like Garrett. Garrett at 29 years old is not the same as Hendrickson at 31."
In the end, Valenti is sticking with the "Tyrannosaurus Rex" that is Myles Garrett, because "he checks every box" and his performance justifies the cost of acquiring and extending him.