ESPN: Lions to acquire DT Williams from Browns

[Oldskool]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4967021

On the surface a trade that proposes sending Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Corey Williams to the Detroit Lions on Friday may not seem like a big deal. But it could influence the NFL draft on April 22 with the Lions choosing second overall.

If Willliams lands with the Lions for a low draft pick, as sources say, he is expected to return to the role he played with his original team, the Green Bay Packers, which allowed him to play a more aggressive style which is commonly called a three technique. The Packers designated him as a franchise player in 2008 but traded him to the Browns for a second-round draft pick.

Williams could also be part of a revamped defensive front-four for the Lions and would free them up to select Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh over Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy if both defensive tackles are available at No. 2. Suh is considered by many NFL evaluators to be more versatile along the defensive front. The Lions also have not ruled out trading down a few slots to collect an extra draft pick and still land another impact player, either on defense or the offensive line.

Williams is scheduled to take a physical on Friday to finalize the Browns and Lions trade.

The Lions also will pursue free agent defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who once played for coach Jim Schwartz, the former defensive coordinator of the Titans. Vanden Bosch could have other suitors. The Seahawks also are expected to consider Vanden Bosch and Aaron Kampman as potential pass-rush defensive ends.

In dealing Williams, the Browns would pick up their 12th pick for next month's NFL draft and league sources say they have been very active in discussions with other teams regarding potential trades and free agency signings, including restricted free agents who would require draft pick compensation. The Browns have made it known that former Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers is available for trade.

Chris Mortensen is a senior NFL analyst for ESPN.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

If they did indeed get him for a low draft pick then its a good move for them

[terrifNick21]

That could affect the draft....If they don't go with one of the DTs...wow.
If they do get Suh, and I'm hearing they're going after Vanden Bosch...their defensive line could be one of the best.

[Oldskool]

That could affect the draft....If they don't go with one of the DTs...wow.
If they do get Suh, and I'm hearing they're going after Vanden Bosch...their defensive line could be one of the best.

Their DL is offensively bad. They were 25th in rushing yards allowed/game at 126.6 and 29th in sacks. I wouldn't be surprised if they took Suh or McCoy even after taking Williams. They have a defensive minded coach who was Haynesworth's position coach with the Titans.

[Hiro]

They need all the help that they can get. Revamping that defensive line by adding Williams via trade, Vanden Bosch in FA, and drafting Suh would be a great start in building a rather horrible defense.

[Veretax]

if they take DL in FA, look out Okung.

[Oldskool]

if they take DL in FA, look out Okung.

Very true. However, it depends if they rate Suh higher or lower on their board than the older vet DL that are available in FA.

My bet is still that they take Suh/McCoy.

[Laxpunk2006]

That could affect the draft....If they don't go with one of the DTs...wow.
If they do get Suh, and I'm hearing they're going after Vanden Bosch...their defensive line could be one of the best.

I'm not so sure about this. Vanden Bosch is coming off a 3.5 sack season. Completely different player without Haynesworth clearing out the middle. I don't think he is a 3.5 sack player but I don't think he'll be bouncing back to double digits in Detroit either. Williams was a good player for GB but struggled in the 3-4. We'll see if a move back to the 4-3 helps or if age is catching up with him, he'll be 30 when the season starts.

Suh looks like he has the potential to be great but DT's rarely make an impact as rookies. Cliff Avril seems to be a decent pass rusher and Sammie Lee Hill is a big man on the nose but none of them are anything special.

Detroit needs big upgrades at 3 of the 4 starting positions and depth behind it before they're "one of the best."

[Veretax]

Very true. However, it depends if they rate Suh higher or lower on their board than the older vet DL that are available in FA.

My bet is still that they take Suh/McCoy.

Detroit has been avoiding getting OL for so Long. The only reason people think Suh or Mccoy is because they traded big baby a couple of years ago. If Williams and Van Den Bosch sign in the middle, maybe they don't need a rookie DT and can go another route, and protect their 70 some million investment in stafford.

[HitStickTaylor21]

I don't think it changes much. After trading away Shaun Rodgers and Cory Redding in back-to-back years, the Lions are in the market for 2 DTs. Getting one doesn't deter them from going after Suh or McCoy, if that is who they like.

[MattFancy]

Look at the Lions making some moves. They're defense will be improved.

[[[ghost]]]

KVB plus Corey Williams with the addition of Suh/McCoy will at least be an overhaul. I can see that being a solid OL until either DT prospers from experience, and it could even be a very good line if Williams can go back to old form.

[Jeff in D.C.]

I've talked to several Lions fans I know, and word there is the pick will be either Suh or McCoy.