Option 3: Trade Down
Most people probably aren’t excited about this option if you’re a Lions fan. Trading down just isn’t fun. However, if Hutchinson is gone and Detroit doesn’t feel great about Hamilton or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 2, then they could try and trade down and accumulate more draft picks for this year or down the road. There is a whole lot of talent that will be drafted in the top-10 Detroit could go for with a move down.
Philadelphia has three first-round picks they could come to Detroit with. The New York Giants and New York Jets both have two first-rounders. Some of the teams in the 3-10 range are vying for the best offensive linemen, so if they get ansty Detroit may be able to trade back and still get a great talent. Someone like LSU cornerback Derek Stingley could be a game-changing corner for Detroit. Past wiffs on cornerback selections and signings should not be a deterrent (see Jeffrey Okudah and Desmond Trufant).
The turnaround for Detroit is a long haul right now. Trading down to grab more talent in the future, while still getting top-end talent now, may be the way to go. While it may not be the fans’ favorite decision, moving down a bit could be the right way to go to keep rebuilding this thing the right way.