Trades will, as at all times, be something to observe for on the opening night of the draft. The center and latter portions of the first-round order could see loads of movement with teams maneuvering across the board in a yr lacking in top-tier prospects.
The Lions shall be a team to observe closely on that front. Detroit has been making calls a couple of trade up the order, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He adds other teams are monitoring the Lions as a candidate for a move higher up the board. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones also writes Detroit is among the many teams which could swing a trade tonight.
The Lions have a second-round selection (No. 50) but don’t own a third-rounder. That limited Day 2 capital could make restrict how far up the board general manager Brad Holmes is capable of move. Nevertheless, a trade targeting a prospect Holmes and Co, are higher on than most would definitely not come as a surprise. Jones adds any deal moving Detroit closer to the highest of the Day 1 order would likely lead to an offensive tackle being drafted.
Adding up front has long been projected as a goal for the Lions. Ely Allen’s PFR mock has Monroe Freeling coming off the board at No. 17. Meanwhile, Fowler’s colleague Matt Miller and Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated each have Detroit drafting Kadyn Proctor at that spot. The Alabama product has previously been linked to the Lions, and the ultimate mock draft from Dane Brugler of The Athletic also has him being chosen by Detroit.
The Lions won’t have Taylor Decker within the fold moving forward. Replacing him on the left tackle spot could thoroughly include Penei Sewell shifting to the blindside, something which might allow Proctor or one other rookie to tackle right tackle duties immediately. Proctor is the topic of maturity questions, per Breer, but a top-20 selection in his case can still be expected. In that event, the Lions will remain a landing spot to observe closely with or with no trade going down.