By Blessing 
As things currently stand, the Detroit Lions are slated to pick at No. 28 overall in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. General Manager Brad Holmes could easily stay put and take the best talent on the board—but there’s always the possibility of a trade, either moving up to secure a specific target or trading down to add more value. In this scenario, we’re diving into what things could look like if the Lions opted to trade down.
Lions Swing a Trade With the Raiders
Using the Pro Football Focus NFL Draft simulator, this mock draft features a move where the Lions trade their No. 28 pick along with No. 102 to the Las Vegas Raiders. In return, Detroit picks up the No. 37 and No. 68 selections—gaining an extra top-70 pick without falling too far down the board.
With their new No. 37 pick, the Lions select offensive tackle Josh Conery Jr. from Oregon. With veteran Taylor Decker nearing the back end of his career, it makes sense for Detroit to start grooming his eventual replacement, and Conery Jr. could be a strong candidate to fill those shoes.
At No. 60 overall, the Lions bolster their pass rush by drafting EDGE Jack Sawyer from Ohio State. Admittedly, it’s not easy for a die-hard Michigan fan to suggest a Buckeye—but Sawyer’s upside and fit in Detroit’s defense make him a compelling addition.
Finally, with the No. 68 pick, Detroit grabs cornerback Benjamin Morrison out of Notre Dame. The Lions recently signed veteran D.J. Reed to pair with rising talent Terrion Arnold, but Morrison brings high-end potential. If he’s on the board and his medicals look solid, he could be too good to pass up.
This trade-down scenario could end up giving the Lions great value across mul
tiple positions.