3 centers the Detroit Lions could realistically trade for and what they would cost
If Brad Holmes is looking to trade for the Lions’ next center, here’s what he can get.
If there was one thing that was incredibly clear coming out of the Detroit Lions’ 2025 season, it’s that they need a new center. Graham Glasgow is likely to retire, and Frank Ragnow is not coming back. Lions general manager Brad Holmes talked last week, and he’s well aware that the Lions need to act on this. Saying, “we’re definitely going to have to continue to look for one, whether it be free agency or the draft or a trade.”
There are some options in free agency and the draft, and we’ll talk about those options in long form soon enough. But today, we want to talk about who the Lions could realistically get via trade and what they would cost. We’ve found three names. Here they are:
Cardinals center Hjalte Froholdt
Froholdt is on the older side at 29, so this won’t be a long-term thing. Frankly, anyone the Lions try to trade for at center is not likely to be a long-term guy. The Lions would have to go to free agency or the draft for that.
With that said, Froholdt is a solid starting center and has been for the last three years in Arizona. He can pass block and, more importantly, he can run block. In 2024, he had one of the highest run-blocking grades in the league among centers, via Pro Football Focus. On the pass blocking side of things, he allowed just one sack in 2025.
What the Lions would have to trade: The Lions could probably get this done for a 2026 sixth-round pick. They would be on the hook for a $6 million cap hit in 2026, and then he’ll be a free agent in 2027.
Commanders center Tyler Biadasz
Tyler Biadasz is another player on the older side, but he’s been a solid and consistent starter for years. He allowed three sacks this year, but he was the 13th-highest graded run-blocking center in the league. Over The Cap recently listed him as one of the NFL’s big cut candidates going into the offseason. The Lions could come in and make an offer, allowing the Commanders to shed his contract and get something in return in the meantime.
What the Lions would have to trade: The Lions could send over the 2026 fifth-round compensatory pick they’re projected to get for Kevin Zeitler, and that could get the deal done.
Jets center Joe Tippmann
The Jets tried Tippmann at right guard this season, and it went well, but he was much better at center. The thing is that the Jets have Josh Myers there now. This is the Lions’ best chance at a long-term center via trade, as Tippmann is still just 24 years old. This all depends on what the Jets want to do: whether they’re going through a full rebuild on offense or want to see what they can get out of the guys they have now.
What the Lions would have to trade: Detroit would have to give up at least a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft to get this done. The Jets are taking a risk by letting this young player, whom they took in the second round in 2023, go. They will want something to ease that concern.
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