The Detroit Lions haven’t made many headlines for their offseason moves this year, and that’s been mostly by design. Detroit is trying to manage a tight budget, make fringe improvements, and keep their long-term cap health in a good spot.
But if there’s one place they could make a splash, it’s in the upcoming NFL Draft, and NFL.com writer Eric Edholm proposed a gigantic trade that would certainly grab the attention of the entire league. Here’s Edholm’s proposal:
- 2026 first-round pick — 7th overall
- 2027 third-round pick
- TE Ben Sinnott
- TE Sam LaPorta
- 2026 first-round pick — 17th overall
- 2026 sixth-round pick — 205th overall
Trading away LaPorta for a pick upgrade in the first and sixth-to-third round—albeit in 2027—would certainly draw some reactions. Here’s how Edholm justified the move:
“First off, I don’t think LaPorta will be traded. But it wouldn’t totally floor me if he was,” Edholm wrote. “LaPorta has been great, and losing him hurts Detroit’s offense, but the big picture must be considered: LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is coming off back surgery.”
Later adding, “Why would Detroit move up to seven? I suspect to acquire a foundational left tackle. That position is their biggest remaining worry, and their guy might not last until 17. It would be a big risk, but a potentially smart one financially and football-wise, and Brad Holmes has never shied away from making waves in Round 1.”
In short, trading LaPorta would help Detroit’s difficult salary cap management by avoiding paying a pricey extension. Meanwhile, a trade up into the top-10 would help the put the finishing touches on their offensive line with a franchise left tackle.
It’s a well-reasoned trade, even if it’s likely to draw some visceral reactions from fans who love LaPorta.
But would the Lions actually do it? Let’s debate.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has never been shy about doing what he needs to do to get his guy in the NFL Draft. So if there’s a tackle he’s particularly fond of, I would not be surprised to see him make an aggressive move to get him. The Lions said fixing the offensive line is “everything” this offseason, and it still feels like they’re one big move away from accomplishing that.
Additionally, the potential cap savings are significant. As Edholm points out, the top-end market for a tight end extension is creeping up to $20 million a year, and with likely extensions coming for both running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell—and maybe safety Brian Branch—it’s possible LaPorta could be the odd one out. A few years ago, Holmes made the bold decision to trade away tight end T.J. Hockenson, and the Lions quickly recovered by snagging LaPorta in the draft. Now, the Lions were in a completely different stage of roster building at this point, and Hockenson was a remnant from the previous regime, but it shows Holmes is willing to move on from a talented player prior to giving them an extension.
Why the Lions probably don’t do it
For one, I think the Lions value LaPorta more than people realize. The Lions tight end has oddly been topic of trade proposals for the past year, as fans and analysts wonder how Detroit will navigate the future of that 2023 draft class. But the Lions have shown no indications they are even thinking of moving on from LaPorta. Holmes continues to reiterate that he wants all of those first four picks from the 2023 draft locked up long term.
Additionally, something coach Dan Campbell told Dan Miller this week really resonated with me in regards to how much they value LaPorta. Campbell and Miller were discussing the team’s desire to improve in the running game, as evidenced by their investments in the offensive line this offseason. But Campbell reminded Miller that losing their top two tight ends at the end of the season also played a huge factor in their lowered efficiency on the ground.
“Some of it was losing LaPorta and Brock Wright,” Campbell said. “That had a significant blow, too.”
LaPorta burst onto the NFL scene thanks to a super productive rookie season when it comes to the passing game (86 catches, 889 yards, 10 TDs). But his game has grown the most as of late as a run blocker. For a team that is that devoted to the run, I’m not sure they’d be willing to part ways with a huge part in that success.
Beyond that, it’s also very, very possible that the Lions can find their long-term offensive tackle staying put at 17 overall. Current projections have anywhere between three and seven first-round talents at offensive tackle, and while a trade into the top-10 would nearly guarantee Detroit’s ability to draft one of them, that could be an unnecessary price to pay. On top of that, the Lions aren’t actually adding any additional picks with this trade, just significantly upgrading two.
Still, it’s an interesting thing to think about, and I don’t believe it’s particularly outlandish. Though, I ultimately agree with Edholm in that I would be surprised if the Lions actually pulled the trigger on a trade like this.
