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In case you have not heard by now, the Detroit Lions currently have two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They have the No. 18 overall pick, which they earned for finishing with a 9-8 record in 2022, and they also have the No. 6 overall pick, which they acquire via the Los Angeles Rams as part of the 2021 trade for Matthew Stafford. That No. 6 pick could be a pick that is coveted by teams looking to trade up for a quarterback.
Why it Matters
As we noted in an article earlier today, Brad Holmes is playing with house money with the No. 6 overall pick, and he could decide to make a bold move by selecting a quarterback. That being said, Holmes could also trade the No. 6 pick to a team who is in desperate need of landing a QB.
- The Lions hold the No. 6 overall pick and it could be coveted
- If Brad Holmes does not love a player at that spot, he could look to trade down
- A couple of teams could look to move up to take a QB
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2 Teams that could trade Detroit Lions for No. 6 pick
When looking at the 2023 NFL Draft order, a couple of teams quickly jump out as the most likely to call Detroit to try and make a trade. Those teams are as follows:
Las Vegas Raiders
It is pretty much a guarantee that Derek Carr's time in Las Vegas is over, which means the Raiders will be on the lookout for another quarterback. As it stands they have the No. 7 overall pick and they could look to trade up to No. 6 if they fear another team will try and jump them for a QB.
Carolina Panthers
One way or another, the Panthers are going to add a starting quarterback during the upcoming offseason. If they want to do that via the NFL Draft, they may have to move up from No. 9, or risk missing out on one of the “Big 3” prospects (Bryce Young, Will Levis, C.J. Stroud). If Brad Holmes is not in love with a player at No. 6, don't be surprised if he makes a deal with the Panthers, who will be looking to jump the Raiders.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that Brad Holmes is going to do whatever it takes to build a contender in Detroit, and that includes giving up the No. 6 overall pick if it means getting more draft capital. Depending on what happens earlier in the draft, and who is available when Detroit is on the clock, there is a chance that a team like Carolina or Las Vegas looks to trade up.
