At the start of a potentially lengthy rebuild, the Lions have two first-round picks this year. Her own pick came in 2nd overall. While Detroit could acquire a top-end prospect on this slot, the team is open to selling it.
Brad Holmes said he has discussed the pick with several teams and will not need to see how the Jaguars are doing at No. 1 to make a relegation decision. The second-year Lions GM would give the go-ahead for a tentative deal if the right offer was made.
“I definitely think we could go through with that pre-draft compromise if the other team is willing to do that,” Holmes said of Detroit News’ Justin Rogers. “I would say it is relatively early for these discussions at the moment but I would expect things to get hot, especially with the election we have this year. Because things definitely got hot, including us at seven last year. So I expect more dialogue.”
The No. 2 overall pick has changed hands twice in the past six drafts, though he hasn’t moved since 2017. The 49ers slipped from 2 to 3 in 2017 on draft night when the Bears made a bid to secure Mitchell Trubisky Draft real estate while the Browns dealt the second pick of 2016 to the Eagles days before that draft. Philadelphia sent Cleveland five picks to move from No. 8 to No. 2, a haul that included first- and second-round picks in 2017 and third- and fourth-round picks in the ’16 draft. The Lions couldn’t be blown away by an offer considering there’s no prospect of Trubisky or Carson Wentz level in this year’s draft.
Depending on how far down the draft board the Lions are willing to move, a trade would provide the franchise with additional capital to meet its myriad needs. The team still holds the Rams’ first-round pick (No. 32 overall), No. 34 overall, and two third-round picks this year.