NFL insider proposes the Lions trade Sam LaPorta to move up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, why it’s actually a good idea
The Lions can solve a lot of problems with this trade, but it is very risky
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm projected a bunch of win/win trades in the draft for teams. For the Lions, he suggested a giant blockbuster trade that would send Sam LaPorta, their 17th pick and their 205th pick to the Commmanders for tight end Ben Sinnott, the 7th pick and a 2027 third-round pick.
Why this trade is actually not crazy
Do I believe right here and now that the Lions can get LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch all set up on top of the market deals at the same time? I absolutely do. But just because you can, does not mean you should right? Unless you feel so unbelievably good about it. Which the Lions might.
But in this sitauation, they have the opportunity to not pay LaPorta what could realistically be up to $80 million. This would really help the Lions relieve some of the financial constraints they’re dealing with right now. The constraints that prevented the Lions from being able to get involved in a big way in free agency.
What the Lions get is not bad
Ben Sinnott is not LaPorta. There is no question about that. The Lions do lose a pass catcher in this scenario. At least until they draft one from a pretty good draft class full of pass catching tight ends. They’d get that guy on a rookie deal as well. The Lions get a bit of an upgrade over Brock Wright in this situation though. Plus they have Tyler Conklin who can receive and block.
But the big opportunity they get is the seventh pick. They’d have a realistic shot at edge rushers like David Bailey or Ruben Bain. They’d also have a realistic shot at getting the best tackle on the board in Miami’s Francis Mauigoa. These are game changing players for the Lions in 2026 and beyond.
In addition to that, an extra third round pick in 2027 is big and the Lions don’t even have to wait to use it if they don’t want to. If the Lions want to trade up in the 2026 draft, that extra third is a good trade chip.
Would it actually happen?
Never say never in this business, but I just don’t see the Lions making that move. LaPorta has been an important part of what they do and considering that Drew Petzing puts a lot on tight ends in his offense, keeping LaPorta makes more sense then moving heaven and earth to move up when they can get a good edge, tackle, or whatever they’re thinking about at 17. So while I think it has it’s real merits, I don’t believe it would happen.
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