Detroit Lions trade up in 5th for a speedy Kentucky WR

TL;DR

The Detroit Lions traded up from Pick 181 to 168 in the fifth round to select Kendrick Law, a speedy wide receiver from Kentucky.

Key points

Detroit Lions traded up in the fifth round
Moved from Pick 181 to 168
Selected Kendrick Law from Kentucky
Kendrick Law is a speedy wide receiver

Mentioned in this story

Kentucky Wildcats

Detroit LionsKendrick Law

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 29: Kendrick Law #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs on a kickoff against the Louisville Cardinals in the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Detroit Lions traded up in the fifth round, from Pick 181 to 168 to select Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law.

Here are the terms of that trade:

Trade details:

Lions got: Pick 168
Bills got: Pick 181, 213 (sixth round)

Law originally went to Alabama, but transferred after three years and minimal production in eight starts (343 yards, 1 TD). After transferring to Kentucky, he led the Wildcats with 540 yards receiving and added three touchdowns in 2025.

Law’s specialty is his athleticism. He has acceptable size at 5-foot-11, 203 pounds, but his speed is where his athletic profile really shines. He posted a 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and has an overall RAS of 9.60.

Where he may have a path to the roster in Detroit is via special teams. He returned 31 kickoffs in college, averaging 22.9 yards per return. In total—between Alabama and Kentucky—he posted 537 special teams snaps. And with that athleticism, he could contend for a gunner job.

With the trade up, the Lions now have just two remaining picks in the draft: 205 overall (sixth round) and 222 overall (seventh).