Revisiting the LA Rams trade package for QB Matthew Stafford

Lions package

What did the Lions get so far? Well, that’s a bit complicated.  The Lions straightforward dog QB Jared Goff and CB Ifeatu Melionwu. Unfortunately, the Lions chose to include the 32nd pick in a 2022 NFL Draft Day 1 trade, so while we will list the players selected as a result of that trade for the Lions, the 2022 rookies are only partially paid for by the Rams 32nd overall draft pick.

QB Jared Goff

Just as the LA Rams were pleased with QB Matthew Stafford’s performance, the Lions cannot be overly upset with the debut of Jared Goff in the Lions’ offense. While Goff played in 14 of the 17 scheduled games, he managed to complete 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,245 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He was sacked a horrendous 35 times, and his attempts of 494 passes were the third-fewest of his career.

The Lions receiving corps was in shambles all season, led by fourth-round rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown with 90 receptions for 912 yards and five touchdowns. Former teammate Josh Reynolds signed with the Lions for the final seven games of the season and helped the Lions win their three lone victories. Trial by fire? Perhaps. But the Lions GM is former LA Rams exec Brad Holmes, and he appears to have turned the corner with this franchise as we will soon see.

CB Ifeatu Melifonwu

Ifeatu Melifonwu is a promising and talented young defensive back who could prove to be quite the NFL player in the years to come. The previous Lions GM Bob Quinn traded star cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles, in part to resolve a running dispute between HC Matt Patricia and Slay. Holmes, therefore, had to address that roster need.

Melifonwu is a 6-foot-3 210-pound rather raw prospect who shows tremendous upside. He played in seven games for the Lions, starting in four, and allowed just 60.9 percent of the passes thrown to his receiver to find their mark. He made 15 tackles, three deflected passes, and two fumble recoveries in his rookie season. While he was eased into the rotation, he did end the year having played 242 defensive snaps.

Rookie WR Jameson Williams (acquired by trade with Vikings)

The Detroit Lions entered the 2022 NFL Draft with a very long shopping list. But one of the critical needs was help for Jared Goff in the form of wide receiver talent. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 180 pounds, the young man is very athletically gifted with the ability to race down the field to push the back end of defenses or to put up tremendous yards-after-the-catch numbers

Rookie DL Josh Paschal (acquired by trade with Vikings)

Rookie edge rusher Josh Paschal was the second edge rusher chosen by the Lions, and he hails out of Kentucky. He has good size at 6-foot-3 and 268-pounds, but his best attribute is his maturity and leadership qualities. If the Lions are going to turn the ship around, they will need to have players who possess great character like Josh Paschal.

Okay, whew! That seems like a lot of compensation, doesn’t it? Well, there is one more first-round pick in the mix as well. So the Lions’ fans have to be happy with the trade so far. Now, what did the LA Rams get?