It just makes so much sense for the Detroit Lions to trade up in the the 2025 NFL Draft. The way their roster is constructed, they have a chance to move up abd get that prized edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. 

We've done a lot of mock drafts already, and a few of them have those trade-up moves in them. It's sparked some conversation about how much you give up in a trade-up. Some think you're giving up too much, and others think it's not enough. 

Today we're going to put together three trade-up proposals, and we're going to use history as our guide in each one of them. This way we can all see together what the compensation for a trade up really looks like. 

Swinging for the fences

Lions get: 4th pick and 106th pick
Patriots get: 28th pick, 60th pick, 102nd pick, 2026 first round pick, and 2026 second round pick

Ok, let's just say right out front that I don't think the Lions are swinging for it all this year. Anything is possible, but this is a lot, right? 

The inspiration for this proposal comes from the Texans trading up to the third pick with the Cardinals in 2023. Here's what that trade looked like:

Texans got: 3rd pick and 105th pick
Cardinals got: 12th pick, 33rd pick, 2024 first round pick, and a 2024 third round pick

Ok, the major difference here is that the Texans had that 12th pick to deal and the top pick of the second round. The Lions don't have that, so they have to give up a little more. That's why they trade their first three picks to make this happen, and they give away their future first and a future second instead of a future third. 

Again, we don't see this one happening, but this is what it costs. 

Moving up just outside of the top 10

Lions get: 11th pick
49ers get: 28th pick, 102nd pick, and 2026 first-round pick

This one seems a lot more realistic for the Lions. It would put them in a position to grab someone like Georgia's Mykel Williams, Texas A&M's Shemar Steawart, Alabama's Jihaad Campbell, Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, or Ohio State's Josh Simmons. Anything they want at basically any position is there. 

This trade is based on the trade the Chiefs worked out to move up for Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. Here's what that one looked like. 

Chiefs got: 10th pick
Bills got: 27th pick, 91st pick and 2018 first round pick

Moving up just a little bit to jump your rivals

Lions get: 22nd pick 
Chargers get: 28th pick and 102nd pick and 2026 fifth-round pick

This one has the Lions moving up right ahead of the Packers and Vikings. It would be the moment that they could steal a receiver from the Packers or an interior offensive lineman from the Vikings. Everyone would love it. 

This trade is based on the move the Lions made last year to go up and get Terrion Arnold. Here's a reminder of what that looked like: 

Lions get: 24th pick and 2025 seventh-round pick
Cowboys got: 29th pick and 73rd pick

The Lions give up a little more in this case since they have the 102nd pick in the third and not the 73rd. So they send over a fifth for next year and only get one pick in return. 

The latter two proposals are the ones to focus on. Trading up from the bottom of the draft to the top just doesn't happen, and you can see why. You give up everything. 

NFL Draft insider says not to be shocked if the Lions draft this position early in the 2025 NFL Draft, it makes no sense at all

The 2025 NFL Draft is getting close and closer, and everyone wants to know what the Detroit Lions are going to do. People are begging for any kind of intel they can find. Even the kind that makes no sense at all.  ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller put together a story in which he talked […]