By Blessing 
Lions Trade Speculation Reaches Peak Levels Ahead of NFL Draft
We’ve officially entered peak Speculation SZN—that special time within Draft SZN when things go completely off the rails. With no fresh news to break down, everyone twists themselves into knots dreaming up the wildest scenarios possible. Why? Well, because it’s fun, and because big, dramatic headlines pay the bills. What’s the harm in a little imaginative daydreaming while we wait for winter to finally let go?
With that in mind—and with full awareness that this kind of talk could either excite or irrationally frustrate the person writing it—let’s dive into one of the most intriguing Lions draft fantasies to surface in a while. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently published an article outlining why Detroit should make a bold move to land a premier edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Barnwell’s Case for the Lions Trading Up
In his piece, which dropped Monday morning, Barnwell took a look at multiple NFL teams and weighed the pros and cons of trading up or down in April’s draft. When it came to Detroit, he made a compelling case for the Lions shaking things up on opening night.
“Their bigger problem is at edge rusher, where they’ve struggled to find a secondary player on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson … It’s fun to imagine the Lions trading up to make an all-in move for top-ranked edge rusher Abdul Carter, but that’s probably not realistic. Could they jump from No. 28 into the teens for Mike Green (Marshall) or Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), though? This might be the time for Detroit to take a bigger swing on that second edge rusher next, especially with Hutchinson now eligible for what will surely be a significant contract extension.”
A Missed Opportunity for True Chaos?
Barnwell ultimately pumped the brakes on the Abdul Carter dream scenario, which is a shame because that would’ve been an electrifying prediction. A move from No. 28 into the mid-teens is exciting, sure—but it’s not Abdul Carter exciting.
Still, a trade of that magnitude would make waves, and it’s the kind of offseason splash that fuels endless discussion. So until draft night finally arrives, why not indulge in some speculation? And hey, if you’d rather just assume the Lions will go all-in and make a move for Carter anyway, no one’s stopping you. If there’s one thing the internet has proven, it’s that there are no limits to the imagination during Draft SZN.