By Blessing 
NFL Rumors: Lions, Seahawks Encouraged to Trade Up in Draft to Tackle Key Roster Issues
The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is officially on — just one month to go. And as fans know all too well, draft season never fails to bring surprise moves, dramatic trades, and plenty of speculation. This year is no different. One NFL analyst is already eyeing a couple of teams he thinks should make bold moves when the first round kicks off.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently shared his insights on which teams should consider trading up or down in the draft. Among those he believes should move up? The Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks — two franchises that, according to Barnwell, could solve some pressing roster problems by being aggressive early on.
Seahawks’ Offensive Line Desperately Needs Help
Barnwell highlighted Seattle’s struggling offensive line as a glaring weakness that could prompt a trade-up scenario. The Seahawks are in a unique position this year, holding five top-100 picks — extra draft capital acquired from trades involving Geno Smith and DK Metcalf. That kind of ammo could make it easier for Seattle to move up the board.
Still, there’s a catch: Seahawks general manager John Schneider has historically leaned toward accumulating picks rather than packaging them to move up.
“Since 2011, Schneider has been about twice as likely to trade down as trade up, with the Seahawks moving down in the draft 17 times and up on nine occasions,” Barnwell noted. “Some of those trades up have been significant successes, as they moved up for Lockett in 2015 and Metcalf in 2019.”
So while the team has had success in past trade-ups, it’s not their usual strategy. However, that could change if the right offensive line prospect catches Schneider’s eye.
“My instinct is Schneider prefers to amass picks and take as many shots as (sic) the board as possible, but if there’s an offensive lineman or two he loves in the first three rounds, he might need to consolidate picks and get guys who can immediately step into the lineup,” Barnwell added.
Lions Eyeing a Partner for Hutchinson
Over in Detroit, Barnwell believes the Lions would benefit from making an aggressive move up the draft board — particularly to secure a talented edge rusher. While Detroit’s defensive unit has improved, the team still lacks a consistent second pass-rushing threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions did re-sign Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad in free agency, but Barnwell views them more as rotational pieces than long-term solutions. He floated the idea of Detroit trading up from pick No. 28 to somewhere in the teens.
“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,” he wrote.
It wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory for the Lions, who traded up just last year to draft Terrion Arnold, stealing a top defensive back target away from division rival Green Bay. It’s very possible general manager Brad Holmes could be dialing phones again this April.
As the draft draws closer, all eyes will be on how these teams navigate the board. Whether they play it safe or take a risk, the right move could be the difference-maker for their 2025 campaigns.