With the NFL Draft coming closer by the second, a huge question for the Lions is whether or not to trade down in the draft. Here’s why they should.
The Lions currently have the 3rd pick in the draft, behind the Washington Redskins who most likely will take Chase Young with the second pick.
Assuming Joe Burrow and Chase Young are taken, the Lions are looking at two main prospects: Jeff Okudah, a cornerback, and Isaiah Simmons, a very versatile linebacker.
Here is why Detroit can trade down and still have both of them on the board.
The Giants, who have the 4th pick, are most likely to take Jedrick Wills to protect Daniel Jones. Behind the Giants are the Dolphins with the 5th pick and the Chargers at #6.
Both Miami and LA need a quarterback.
Almost coincidentally, two of the top prospects in this year’s draft are quarterbacks, Justin Herbert, and Tua Tagovailoa, and there is also a slight chance of Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts getting selected by one of these two teams.
Should the Lions trade down to number 5 or 6?
For starters, trading down to the 5th pick provides Detroit with the best chance at a choice of Simmons and Okudah. The Dolphins will probably take a QB, and the Giants probably have a 70% chance at taking Jedrick Wills.
Trading down to the 6th pick will get Motor City’s football team a better trade back, but it will also be riskier because Simmons and Okudah would have more teams to be taken by.
The best-case scenario, however, is that the Chargers take a QB at 3, then the Giants take Wills, and then the Dolphins take a QB as well with the 5th pick.
Trading down to number 6 is the smartest decision if Detroit is 50/50 split on taking Okudah or Simmons, and are equally satisfied with either prospect.
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