A future second round pick can be anything. A franchise quarterback, an elite pass rusher, a great guard.
It can even be a star cornerback.
But the thing about a future second round pick is that it can't play right now. It doesn't wear a jersey. It doesn't get a player introduction. It doesn't make highlight reel plays. No one chants its name. Above all else, a future second round pick can't stop Carolina Panthers' wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
And neither could anyone on the Detroit Lions defense.
McMillan had nine catches and 147 yards entering the half, accounting for 82.58% of QB Bryce Young's first half pass yards. McMillan picked up where he left off in the second half, catching Young's first pass of the half to kickstart a lengthy five minute drive that ended in a second TD reception for the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
McMillan finished with 14 catches and 192 yards. Young, meanwhile, totaled 329 passing yards, making him the third QB to eclipse 300 pass yards against the Lions.
The end result was a 32-26 embarrassment on Sunday Night Football against a heavily injured Panthers team. The offense, again, did just fine outside of some questionable play-calling late. The defensive line did all they could to make life difficult for Young and put the offense in a position to win. The remainder of the defense, however, was atrocious.
But it didn't have to be this way.
How a future second rounder could've helped on Sunday
A future second round pick couldn't play on Sunday, but it still could've bolstered the Lions' secondary.
The Dallas Cowboys used their 2028 second round pick to acquire CB Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter Jr. played for the Cowboys in their thrilling 34-30 win against the Houston Texans, making his team and season debut. Porter didn't show up on the box score, but played 24 snaps and didn't allow a reception while being targeted once, per Next Gen Stats.
One target. No receptions allowed. That would've been amazing against the Panthers, right? And with tight end Sam Laporta's contract negotiation reportedly hitting a snag, an avenue could've opened up to extend Porter Jr., too. Albeit, that would mean LaPorta walks in free agency.
READ MORE: 8 takeaways from Lions' disastrous Week 4 loss to Panthers
The Lions were "in" on those Porter Jr. trade discussions, per head coach Dan Campbell. And to be clear, the Lions could have offered a future second round pick as well, but the Steelers might've felt the Cowboys' second rounder would be more advantageous based on team trajectory. Even if that was the case, there was still room to up the offer, even if it enters overpay territory.
General manager Brad Holmes is a great drafter. By holding onto his picks, he's dancing with the one who brought him. But his draft record isn't perfect, and the Panthers were just the latest team to exploit that.
The Lions need help right now. It can't wait until safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph return, whenever that is. We have no idea how they'll look when they return. It can't wait until the 2027 or 2028 NFL draft. We have no idea how the draft board will fall or if those picks pan out. They especially can't suit up for the now 2-2 Lions.
The secondary is a clear issue, and the team hurting badly because of it. Holmes has the resources to do something about it now. To salvage this season, he'll need to let go one of those future draft picks -- as tough as that may be for him.
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