Lions’ Draft Strategy: Strong Trade Capital Despite Missing 3rd-Round Picks
The Detroit Lions have made significant moves in the NFL Draft and trades that impact their future strategies. They recently traded up in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Isaac TeSlaa in the third round. This deal involved sending two third-round picks from 2026 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As of now, TeSlaa has made an impressive start with three catches and two touchdowns in the current season. He is primarily contributing as the Lions’ No. 4 receiver, following Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Kalif Raymond. The Lions have faith in TeSlaa’s potential to advance up the depth chart in the 2026 season.
Lions’ Draft Strategy: Strong Trade Capital Despite Missing 3rd-Round Picks
The recent trades, including the acquisitions of Za’Darius Smith and Riley Patterson, have left the Lions with a lighter draft capital as they approach the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025. However, they still hold at least seven picks for the 2026 draft:
- Round 1: Own pick
- Round 2: Own pick
- Round 4: Own pick
- Round 5: Own pick
- Round 6: From Jaguars (Tim Patrick trade)
- Round 6: From Jaguars (TeSlaa trade)
- Round 7: From Browns
Despite trading away third-round picks for TeSlaa, the Lions also expect to receive a fourth-round compensatory choice due to net free agent losses from 2025.
Future Draft Outlook
The Lions are well-positioned for the upcoming drafts. Their picks for 2027 include:
- Round 1: Own pick
- Round 2: Own pick
- Round 3: Own pick
- Round 4: Own pick
- Round 5: Own pick
- Round 6: Own pick
- Round 7: Own pick
They have not traded any of these picks yet, which maintains flexibility for future decisions. The Lions are not expected to be very active during the upcoming trade deadline, due to a strong roster and the return of key starters like D.J. Reed and Marcus Davenport from injuries.
As the Lions prepare for the trades and draft strategies ahead, they remain focused on solidifying positions at defensive end, tight end, cornerback, or offensive tackle.
