A way the Lions can take advantage of the big Jalen Ramsey Steelers trade and grab a player they once really wanted

A blockbuster trade happened in the NFL on Monday when the Pittsburgh Steelers traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a late-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. A huge move for Pittsburgh. 

Believe it or not, there's a move that the Detroit Lions can capitalize off this move and bring in a player to help them. A player they were once interested in. 

How the Lions can add tight end Darnell Washington via trade

In 2023, Washington wowed everyone at the NFL Combine with his big 6-foot-7 frame and his huge hands. The Lions had him in for a top 30 visit ahead of the draft. They also brought in some guy named Sam LaPorta, too. 

LaPorta was the way the Lions went, and they absolutely made the right decision for their TE1, but they could utilize Washington and his superb run blocking and pass blocking. He would be an upgrade over everyone the Lions have whose name isn't Sam. 

 The Lions have been poking around tight ends all summer long and met with several of them either at the NFL Combine or in top 30 visits. Ultimately, they wound up signing Kenny Yeboah and then picking up Zach Horton as an undrafted free agent after the draft. 

Here's their chance to score a really solid TE2 and take advantage of the Steelers bringing in Jonnu Smith. Here's the trade proposal: 

Lions get: Darnell Washington
Steelers get: 2026 6th-round pick

Some might think that the Steelers could get more for Washington since he was a third-round pick, but he hasn't been putting up third-round pick numbers, and the going rate for a blocking tight end who is third on the depth chart just isn't a high one. 

The Lions make the move because they could use a better blocking tight end opposite LaPorta, and the run blocking he brings is something the Lions just don't have right now. 

For the Steelers, they have Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Connor Heyward. They're in really good shape still if they part with Washington. The deal just makes sense for everyone.