The Detroit Lions are considering trading down in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to regain a third-round pick. Analyzing recent first-round trades, the Lions could potentially acquire valuable assets by moving from their current 17th overall pick.
Key points
Detroit Lions may trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft
Current pick is 17th overall
No picks between 51 and 117
Could regain a third-round pick
Analysis of recent first-round trades
Detroit LionsNFL Draft 2026
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 23: A general view of the Detroit Lions logo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 23: A general view of the Detroit Lions logo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lions may be more interested in trading down this year. Entering the draft without any picks between 51 and 117, trading down in the first round could be a relatively easy way for Detroit to regain a third-round pick and add another player who could contribute this year.
So I looked at all the recent first-round trades that happened somewhat near Detroitâs current 17th overall pick to see what the team could fetch if they opt to move down. Those are split into three categories: minor trade downs, medium trade downs, and massive trade downs.
Minor trade downs (1-4 spots)
2023: Patriots trade down from 14 to 17
Patriots get:
17th overall pick
Fourth-round pick (120 overall)
Steelers get:
14th overall pick
2022: Ravens trade down from 23 to 25
Ravens get:
25th overall
Fourth-round pick (130 overall)
Bills get:
23rd overall
Looking at a couple of slight trade-downs from the last three drafts, itâs clear that if the Lions wanted to move down to somewhere around 20th in the draft, they could add a fourth-round pick, giving them a third selection in that round.
Q&A
What could the Detroit Lions get in a first-round trade down?
The Lions could acquire additional picks, including a potential third-round selection, by trading down from their 17th overall pick.
Why are the Detroit Lions considering a trade down in the NFL Draft?
The Lions are looking to regain a third-round pick and add depth to their roster, as they currently have no picks between 51 and 117.
What recent first-round trades are relevant to the Lions' situation?
The analysis includes various recent first-round trades that occurred near the Lions' 17th pick, categorized into minor, medium, and massive trade downs.
How does trading down benefit the Detroit Lions in the draft?
Trading down allows the Lions to acquire more draft capital and potentially select additional players who can contribute immediately.
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Medium trade downs (5-8 spots)
2024: Jaguars trade down from 17 to 23
Jaguars get:
23rd overall pick
fifth-round pick (167 overall)
2025 third-round pick
2025 fourth-round pick
Vikings get:
17th overall pick
2024: Cowboys trade down from 24 to 29
Cowboys get:
29th overall pick
Third-round pick (73 overall)
Lions get:
24th overall pick
2025 seventh-round pick
2022: Commanders trade down from 11 to 16
Commanders get:
16th overall pick
Third-round pick (98)
Fourth-round pick (120)
Saints get:
11th overall
2022: Patriots trade down from 21 to 29
Patriots get:
29th overall pick
Third-round pick (94th overall)
Fourth-round pick (121)
Chiefs get:
21st overall pick
There is a wealth of examples of medium-sized trades, but the value of those trades is a bit all over the place. The Jaguars got a bounty for trading back from 17 to 23, but two of those picks were in future yearsâonly netting a fifth-round pick in that yearâs draft.
The more common medium trade-downs have resulted in an extra third-round pick or a third and fourth-round pick.
Massive trade downs (9+ spots)
2022: Vikings make massive trade down from 12 to 32
Vikings get:
32nd overall pick
Second-round pick (34th overall)
Third-round pick (66th overall)
Lions get:
12th overall pick
Second-round pick (46th overall)
2021: Vikings trade down from 14 to 23
Vikings get:
23rd overall pick
Third-round pick (66)
Third-round pick (86)
Jets get:
14th overall pick
Fourth-round pick (143)
2021: Giants trade down from 11 to 20
Giants get:
20th overall pick
Fifth-round pick (164)
2022 first-round pick
2022 fourth-round pick
Bears get:
11th overall pick
Note on this trade: This was the Bears trading up to grab Justin Fields, so they may have overpaid to get their âfranchiseâ quarterback.
Lions fans will be familiar with the first exampleâtheir massive trade up to get Jameson Williams. Oddly, that only resulted in an upgraded second-round pick and an extra third-round pick for the Vikings. That still looks like terrible value four years later.
The other two examples are far more conservative trade-downsânine spots instead of 20â, but the returns are inconsistent. The Vikings got a third and upgraded a fourth to a third in 2021, but the Giants got a massive haul in their nine-spot trade down. While they only picked up a fifth-round pick in that yearâs draft, they added a future first-round pick and a fourth-round pick. But as noted below the trade, this was the Bears trading up for a quarterback (Fields), so they may have overpaid.
This history of massive trade-ups isnât sufficient to draw any strong conclusions about what the Lions could acquire if they traded down to 26 or lower. A massive trade down could result in anything from a future first-round pick to a pair of third-round picks.
