NFL Draft 2021: 5 predictions for potential first-round trades
By Peter Panacy
NFL Draft Trade No. 4: Lions move up from No. 7 overall
The Detroit Lions picked up a slew of draft picks from the Los Angeles Rams — two first-round picks, one in 2022 and another in 2023, plus a Round 3 pick this year — after sending off veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford to LA.
Additionally, the Lions landed the Rams’ former first-round pick, quarterback Jared Goff.
Goff’s flameout in LA certainly didn’t go unnoticed in the deal, and Detroit shouldn’t be thinking the 26 year old is a long-term fixture. If anything, he’s a bridge option to proverbially “hold down the fort” while the Lions begin their own rebuild under new head coach Dan Campbell.
Currently armed with the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Detroit could miss out on all the big-name quarterbacks who could potentially take over Goff’s role as a starter. And while the Lions have only six picks in this year’s class spread through Rounds 1 and 5, including two in the third round, that added draft capital from the Rams the following two years could make a move up from the seventh overall selection much easier if it’s only a handful of spots.
Detroit could be eyeing the Falcons’ top pick at No. 4 overall just like the Broncos. Or it’s just as possible the Lions leapfrog the No. 6-drafting Dolphins by trading with the team holding the No. 5 overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincy won’t be taking a quarterback after selecting LSU’s Joe Burrow a year ago, so it’s feasible for the Bengals to entertain a trade down with Detroit if another team outbids the Lions for the Falcons’ pick.
Either way, look for Detroit to be aggressive in its search to upgrade over Goff.