{"id":868743,"date":"2026-04-17T23:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T23:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/868743\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T23:30:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T23:30:33","slug":"lions-blockbuster-trade-idea-pairs-hutchinson-with-rueben-bain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/868743\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions Blockbuster Trade Idea Pairs Hutchinson With Rueben Bain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Aidan\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Detroit Lions are nearing the 2026 NFL draft, and as it approaches, edge Aidan Hutchinson is getting good news.<\/p>\n

The Detroit Lions<\/a> are about to break the bank on multiple contract extensions for elite players from the 2023 class on both sides of the football, which makes a monster swing in this year\u2019s NFL<\/a> draft a logical move and reasonable prediction.<\/p>\n

Mina Kimes and Field Yates of ESPN on Friday, April 17 discussed Detroit as one of the most likely teams to move up in Round 1 next Thursday night and pursue one of their two greatest positions of need: pass-rusher and offensive tackle.<\/p>\n

Yates made the case off the edge, noting that general manager Brad Holmes<\/a> has traded up a total of 11 times since taking over Detroit\u2019s front office in 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think one of the reasons the Lions make a lot of sense as a trade up team this year is that they aren\u2019t afraid to march to the beat of their own drum, and this is a team that does not want to have a season like last year, where they were on the outside looking in at the playoffs,\u201d Yates said<\/a>. \u201cThey need to get better in a hurry amongst that pass-rushing group. Wouldn\u2019t surprise me if they move on up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Should the Lions look to pounce on an elite edge-rusher, there are only three names that make sense \u2014 Arvell Reese<\/a> of Ohio State, David Bailey<\/a> of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr.<\/a> of Miami \u2014 as Detroit is likely to be in line to select any pass-rusher outside of that top tier without needing to move up from No. 17.<\/p>\n

Miami Pass-Rusher Rueben Bain Jr. Most Likely Trade Target for Lions\"Miami<\/p>\n

GettyMiami Hurricanes edge-defender Rueben Bain Jr.<\/p>\n

Bain is the most likely target for multiple reasons.<\/p>\n

First, Reese is looking more and more like a lock to go No. 2 to the New York Jets<\/a>, after that franchise called off its meeting with Bailey on Friday. Next, Bain is physically smaller than Bailey, both in terms of height and arm length, and didn\u2019t have the same kind of production in 2025 in terms of pressures and sacks.<\/p>\n

Because of that, the better run defender in Bain is more likely to be available outside of the top five, where Detroit could feasibly get to without having to part with their No. 1 pick in next year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the Cleveland Browns<\/a> at No. 6 could be a team willing to deal. Cleveland has plenty of draft capital already, but GM Andrew Berry said<\/a> earlier this week that the Browns are willing to entertain trade proposals so as to \u201cmaximize the asset.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aidan Hutchinson, Rueben Bain Jr. Make Sense as Longterm Defensive End Pairing in Detroit\"Aidan<\/p>\n

GettyDetroit Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson<\/p>\n

It is possible that teams have selected all three of Reese, Bailey and Bain by the No. 6 pick, though it would take a specific falling of the draft-day chips for that to happen. The Jets are likely to take Reese at No. 2, as mentioned above, after the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> almost certainly select QB Fernando Mendoza first overall.<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals<\/a> are in the mix for a pass-rusher or offensive tackle at No. 3, while multiple NFL executives predicted<\/a> this week that the Tennessee Titans<\/a> and new, defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh will go with a defensive player as well.<\/p>\n

If Arizona takes Bailey or Bain third and Tennessee clears the top tier of edge-rushers off the board at No. 4, then Detroit is out of luck and better off staying home, or potentially moving up with a team like the Miami Dolphins<\/a> at No. 11 if the Lions\u2019 choice of offensive tackles falls outside the top 10.<\/p>\n

However, if Bain, Bailey or both slide past Tennessee, the New York Giants<\/a> are already overstocked with pass-rushers and will more likely look elsewhere at No. 5 That would position Detroit to send Cleveland the Nos. 17 and 50 selections<\/a> in Rounds 1 and 2, respectively, bump up to the sixth pick and land an edge-rusher to star opposite Aidan Hutchinson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Given Bain\u2019s prowess as a power-rusher with 20.5 sacks<\/a> in 38 career collegiate games, as well as his ability to defend against the run (33.5 tackles for loss), he is the more complete player compared with Bailey and the safer bet for a smash-mouth Detroit defense.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMax Dible<\/a> covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Lions\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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