We ran every Lions 2027 draft pick through our trade simulator — 7 cornerbacks came back, and one deal makes too much sense
Detroit needs help at cornerback, so I tested all seven of its 2027 picks. Some results were ridiculous, some were realistic, and one trade is the call I’d want Brad Holmes making over the bye.
A to Z Sports has a brand new trade simulator, and I can’t stop playing with it. One feature lets you put in exactly what you’re willing to give up and target a specific position. The simulator then spits out the best return it can find. So I took all seven picks the Detroit Lions have listed for the 2027 NFL Draft and ran each one through the machine to see what kind of trade the Lions could pull off.
Every pick came back with a cornerback. Some of these deals are realistic. Some of them would get you laughed off the phone. One of them is the trade I think Detroit should make over the bye.
First round: Devon Witherspoon
The first-round pick goes to the Seattle Seahawks for cornerback Devon Witherspoon and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
That’s a beautiful trade for Detroit, and Seattle would hang up immediately. Witherspoon is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and a crucial piece of the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl last year. He’s their No. 1 guy.
If Seattle were 0-5, maybe there’s a tiny chance. Even then, it’s small. He’s a pillar player. As fun as it would be to cover Witherspoon, you can forget about this one.
Second round: Riq Woolen
The second-round pick goes to the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Riq Woolen and a 2027 fifth-round pick. I like this one. I could see the Eagles moving off Woolen before the deadline, and he fits what the Lions want to do.
I just wouldn’t pay a second for him. Our Trade Meter calls it fair, but it leans Eagles. That fifth coming back tamps it down a little.
If Detroit is sending a second, I’d want a fourth back. Honestly, I think a third gets it done with Philadelphia. That’s meeting in the middle. I thought the Lions should have traded for Woolen last year when he fell out of the starting lineup in Seattle. He’s started every game for the Eagles and played well since.
Third round: Jahdae Barron
The third-round pick is where it gets fun. The simulator sends it to the Denver Broncos for cornerback Jahdae Barron and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Our meter says it’s fair. I don’t know if Denver would do it.
Barron was a first-round pick last year, but he’s stuck behind Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Ja’Quan McMillian. Kris Abrams-Draine could break out at any point too. The Broncos are set at cornerback, and they’re going to have to start paying people soon.
I’ve always thought Moss could be a trade target for the Lions. Not so much McMillian, since he mostly plays in the slot.
But if you can get Barron? He’s 24 and still on his rookie deal. You’d have him this year, next year, and the year after that, plus a fifth-year option. He’s not a starter, but he plays well when he’s out there.
I’d do this deal all day. Would Denver? That’s the question.
Fourth round: Charvarius Ward
The fourth-round pick was the hardest to find something for. The best option sends it to the Indianapolis Colts for cornerback Charvarius Ward and a 2028 seventh-round pick.
Ward was really good in San Francisco and has been good in Indianapolis. The Colts could save some money. I just don’t know if Indy does it or if Ward fits what Detroit wants.
I’d entertain it, though. It’s not bad.
Fifth round: Zyon McCollum
This is the one.
A fifth-round pick, straight up, for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum.
It’s the first trade I found in this system that lines up perfectly. Detroit’s fifth is worth 185 points in our simulator. McCollum is worth 185 points. Dead even.
The Bucs might want a little more. I get it. But if the Lions could make this trade over the bye, it would be a huge win.
Plus, McCollum is under contract for two more years after this season. That would be a game changer for this secondary.
Sixth round: Cam Taylor-Britt
The sixth-round pick sends Detroit back to Indianapolis for cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, straight up.
The Lions have shown interest in Taylor-Britt before. They brought him in for a pre-draft visit and spoke with him at the NFL Combine. He’s bounced around and hasn’t been a starter everywhere, but he plays well when he gets on the field.
I think he could start in Detroit. With Lions general manager Brad Holmes’ prior interest, I’d entertain this one.
Seventh round: Qwan’tez Stiggers
Finally, the seventh-round pick goes to the New York Jets for cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers.
He’s another guy the Lions had in for a pre-draft visit. He went straight from the CFL into the draft and has been decent for New York.
I don’t think he’s a starter for Detroit. But if you’re throwing a seventh at somebody, why not? Just don’t expect a whole lot.
That’s what the simulator found. Six of these are debatable. One lines up dead even, and that’s the call I’d want Holmes making during the bye.
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