The Lions sent the No. 23 pick to the Broncos. Denver traded the No. 28 pick to the Lions, along with fifth-rounders both this year and next year and offensive lineman Manny Ramirez.
Detroit News article as to why…
The Lions are reshuffling their offensive line after Matthew Stafford was sacked a career-high 45 times last season. Detroit has moved on from longtime center Dominic Raiola, and guard Rob Sims’ future is uncertain.
The Lions came into the draft with needs on both lines and at running back. They were already picking later than usual in the first round after last season’s playoff appearance, and they were able to acquire a couple picks and a player by moving down a bit further.
Detroit came into the draft with only six scheduled picks this year.
“We look at our board, we see the players that we have available. We have guys that we like that are available — how many spots can we go back?” general manager Martin Mayhew said. “The opportunity to get Manny was pretty important for us. We had a couple different — we actually had three opportunities to move back. That was the one that we chose, but I think Manny was a pretty key part of that.”