Why the Lions needed to trade up to get Kendrick Law in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft

Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law (1) slips past Vanderbilt linebacker Bryce Cowan (22) during the fourth quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Lions had good reason to move up to go get Kendrick Law in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions wowed everyone on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft when they not only selected a receiver in the fifth round, but also traded up to get him. Really, when you think about it, it was the only big reach the Lions had this year’s draft. They otherwise got great players at positions of need everywhere else. But why? Let’s answer a few questions on this pick.

Why did the Lions trade up?

First, it wasn’t that big of a trade-up. They gave up the 181st and 213th picks to move up to 168. So they really didn’t have to give up much more than a sixth-round pick. The big reason why was very likely to jump the Pittsburgh Steelers who picked at 169. In terms of top-30 visits, the Steelers were the only team that Law reportedly met with. So you have to believe that the Lions didn’t move up; he wasn’t going to make it to them at 181.

Why pick a receiver anyway? Especially when you already have a guy like that?

Look, I get it too. My first response to the Lions picking Law was, “Greg Dortch already does everything this guy does.” To which Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman said: “Yeah, but he’s 28.” It was a good enough point that I felt it needed to be included here.