The 2025 NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks away, and with every passing day, it seems like a trade-up is the way the Detroit Lions will go. You just look at the roster they have right now, and you can see where the Lions could go all in on draft day and find their big-time edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Here's the thing, While I do think the Lions will trade up, I ultimately don't see it being a move up to the top 10 or top five, but if they did, it would make sense that a player would be involved in that trade and the team asking for a player is going to want a solid one not the third cornerback or something like that.
Look at some of the player trades that have happened recently. Like AJ Brown to the Eagles, Aaron Rodgers to the Jets, DJ Moore to the Bears, and Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. All these moves netted the trading team first-round picks.
If the Lions wanted to make a move like this and go with the nuclear option, tight end Sam LaPorta makes the most sense.
On the defensive side, I look at guys like Brian Branch, Aidan Hutchinson, and Kerby Joseph, and each one of them is just untouchable. On offense, you can't move your quarterback, you love Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and that run game and offensive line make the offense go.
LaPorta is so good and I don't think the Lions would or should even think about trading him right now, but if push came to shove and the Lions had a chance at generational talent in the top five in return, this is the one spot that they would have their best shot at rebuilding without losing the explosiveness that they have on offense.
It would also save the team cap space because they then would not have to pay him top-of-the-market money when it comes time to pay him. LaPorta is very likely to be a guy who could be the highest-paid tight end in the league very soon. We know now that this is going to be expensive.
If the Lions also want to pay Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, Jameson Williams, and Jack Campbell too very soon, someone could potentially be the odd man out.
Again, this is just the thinking out loud here. I am definitely not advocating for a LaPorta trade at all. I cannot stress that enough. This is the nuclear option, and it just makes sense that if the Lions had to part with one really great player to move up into the top 10 or top five in the draft, this would be the least painful band-aid to rip off. Even though it would still hurt. I'm curious to hear Lions fans' thoughts and if they have anyone that they would suggest.
