NFL Rumors: Detroit Lions Must Pull Trigger on Asante Samuel Trade

The Detroit Lions need to grab dangling Philadelphia Eagles corner Asante Samuel. He is a talented corner and, at 31, he also has a couple of years of peak performance ahead of him.

He is also the odd man out in the Eagles' loaded secondary. 

Philadelphia surely wouldn't hesitate to trade him for the right package. In fact, it has already reportedly tried to trade him to the Lions.  

Jeff McLane of Philly.com shares the info on that trade, which almost came about prior to last season:

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They should have just traded Samuel when they had the chance during training camp. [GM Howie] Roseman, at one point, had a deal to send Samuel to the Lions for a second-round pick, two sources close to the situation said. Roseman even went so far as to have the Lions call Samuel. But he wanted a first round pick instead and called off the deal.

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So the Eagles never dealt Samuel, and they are right back where they were last year, only they aren't as likely to maintain as high an asking price, as they must be a little more eager to trade Samuel and fill other holes. 

McLane recently speculated on teams that could come calling for Samuel, saying, "The Lions still need a corner. The Buccaneers, Chargers, Titans, and Browns are other teams that could be interested in acquiring Samuel."

There are the Lions once again, and for good reason. They need help in the secondary. 

The Lions finished 22nd in passing yards allowed, and that defense got worse as the season went on and injury began to take hold. Over the team's last seven games the defense allowed an average of 310.7 passing yards per contest. Its average on the season was 239.4. 

If the Lions want to be a legitimate contender, they must add a corner that can make a difference, and Samuel would be an instant and massive upgrade.