The Lions unearthed a star in pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but they need depth on the edge beyond the former first-round choice. Though the team found a capable replacement in trade-deadline signing Za’Darius Smith after Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury, they enter 2025 with a question mark on the horizon.
Russell Brown of USA Today’s Lions Wire feels the Lions could find help in the NFL draft by trading up in the first round for a guy who can make an immediate impact.
Lions Could Find A Willing Trade Partner.
Brown stated that the Lions could have numerous possibilities to move up in the first round, with the Atlanta Falcons a top target. The Falcons have the No. 15 overall pick, but only five total selections, and they may be willing to move down in the first round if it means getting additional picks.
“For Detroit, they could use their 2025 1st round pick (28th overall), 2025 3rd round pick (102nd overall) and a 2nd round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft,” Brown noted in an email.
According to Brown, the Lions could have two alternatives for improving their pass rush if they move up to No. 15.
“As for the Lions, I would expect them to move up for a defensive end. That may be Georgia Edge. Mykel Williams, or Texas A&M EDGE Brown penned, “Shemar Stewart.” “Either guy might make an impact on the Lions defensive front. It’s unlikely that either player will be available at pick 28, so trading up may be the only way for the Lions to obtain ‘their guy.'”
Stewart may be an excellent match, bringing size and physicality to Detroit’s defensive front. According to ESPN, the 6-foot-5, 267-pound prospect stood out at the NFL draft combine.
“[That type of performance] will always get your attention,” an AFC scout told ESPN.
“There are not many people on the planet who can do that.”
Stewart recorded only 4.5 sacks in college, but scouts believe he has the ability to break out in the NFL.
“As a coach, if you think you’re worth a [expletive] at all, you’re going to watch a guy with all the traits and say, ‘I can get [the sacks] out of him, I can get him to play,'” said a longtime former NFL defensive line coach. “Those are the guys that pound the table. You don’t want plateau players, who are as good as they can be. “You want potential.”
Lions Could Move Back
Brown speculated that the Lions might potentially go the other way, dropping out of the first round and trade with a team in need of a quarterback.
He mentioned that the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, who pick early in the second round, would be interested in drafting Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart late in the first round so they can have a fifth-year option.
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