Detroit Lions Draft 2016: First Round Trade Down Scenarios

By Zac Snyder | Apr 28, 2016

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions GM Bob Quinn said he’s had calls about moving up and down. Here are some trade down scenarios to watch on day one of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Trading down in the first round to acquire more draft capital is always a fan favorite, particularly with Detroit Lions fans. With little clarity to the the player or even position that the Lions could be targeting with the 16th pick, it would make sense for the Lions to pursue a trade down.

Barring a complete shock in the 15 picks ahead of them, Sheldon Rankins is the only player whose availability would keep me from heavily pursuing a trade down if I was Bob Quinn. He may feel otherwise but there are a couple scenarios that I could see playing out that would provide a trade down opportunity.

Missing in many fans’ thirst for a trade down is the reality that it takes a trade partner with motivation to move up to make it happen.

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The quarterback position is always one to watch for teams looking to move around the first round and the Buffalo Bills at 19 and New York Jets at 20 are teams to watch. Both could be looking for a quarterback and worry about the other could cause one to make a play up.

The other situation to watch is the group of teams in the early 20s looking for a wide receiver. The Houston Texans at 22, Minnesota Vikings at 23 and Cincinnati Bengals at 24 could all be in the running for a wide receiver and any worry about missing out on a favored player because of a run on receivers could prompt a trade up.

Do either situations necessitate a team moving up to 16? I don’t think so but that could be where the opportunity to do so presents itself depending on how motivated the Lions are to trade down.

Next: Full draft coverage on Detroit Jock City

With a big hole between the Lions’s second round pick and their compensatory pick at the end of the third round, it wouldn’t be surprised to see them try to pick up an additional second or third rounder.

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