Boring time of year in between free agency and the draft so might as well start some interesting discussion.
I’m sure it’s been discussed already but I haven’t been on The Den as much recently so not sure if it has.
In any event, I think we can agree that the Lions are loaded with young depth and have plenty of starpower especially on the offensive side of the ball so considering the value of an elite pass rush and the Lions very unlikely to spend on that EDGE rusher opposite of Hutch, I’d look to go all in to trade up to 2 for Abdul Carter who I think is the best player in this draft. 5 years of relatively cheap contract for an elite pass rusher opposite of Hutch would be absolutely massive for a win now team and extended the Superbowl window quite a bit allowing the Lions to retain players elsewhere without worry of spending on pass rush.
Soooo, my question to you Den Brothers is, what would you be willing to give up to move up to 2. We all know that, at minimum it will cost the 1st this year, 1st next year and at least the 2nd round pick this year. Would you be willing to give up the 2027 1st as well, multiple 2nds in addition to the 1st?
What say you guys?
I’d do #28, 2025 2nd, 2026 1st, plus one of the 2026 3rds quite easily. Maybe even a bit more if needed.
I think the Lions could afford to give up a haul of draft capital to land that big fish and still maintain their depth.
Think about it. Look at this depth chart for at least the next few years
QB - Goff, Hooker
RB - Montgomery, Gibbs, Vaki
TE - LaPorta
WR - St. Brown, Jamo
O-Line - Sewell, Decker, Ragnow, Mahogany, Manu down the line?
D-Line - Hutch, Carter, McNeil
LB - Campbell, Anzalone, Barnes
S - Branch, Joseph
CB - Arnold, Reed, Rake
K - Foxy
That’s a ridiculous wealth of riches. Go get Carter
I don’t love giving up future 1sts, but don’t you touch any 2027 picks. That’s gonna be the best draft of our lives. Or at least 2021 all over again.
I wouldn’t do this but I’m not nearly as high on Carter, I get it if you think he’s in that Hutch, Garrett tier. Hell I’d rather do it for Hunter and we don’t have nearly as much need for him.
Way too much draft capital needed to get up that high. Unless it’s for a QB (if we needed a number 1 and we don’t), no thanks on giving up multiple high picks both this year and in future years for one player.
Edited to add there is little chance that 28 and a 2nd this year, along with 2026 1st and a 3rd or even 2nd gets it done. Especially with where our picks are projected to be at.
Count me as another that’s not that high on Carter and would therefore not trade up to 2. Even at a bargain offer, it’s still going to be steep and I would not consider it.
Hunter is the one I’m not as high on.
His skillset and athleticism is undeniable but he plays reckless in a relatively thin frame so I worry about injuries with him.
It all depends on one’s view of Carter. I see him as the next great pass rusher, he was living in the backfield every time I’ve watched him, so I see that skillset alongside Hutch for 5 rookie contract years and salivate.
I just think with the depth of young talent on the Lions and with the comp picks coming that they can afford to trade a haul of picks to land an elite prospect at a premium position. A pass rush like that with all the talent in the secondary and that elite Lions offense and you’re talking about a team that’s incredibly tough to contend with. They already are a top team but turning that pass rush into an elite pass rush would take the Lions to a whole new level.
Just a thought, I’m also perfectly fine with Brad keeping all the picks or even trading down for more and doing his usual draft thing.
He checked in at 190 at the combine. Maybe if he’s not doing such insane cardio every week he can keep more weight on.
Matt Harmon thinks he’s one of the best WR prospects he’s even charted, and when it comes to WRs (where I see Hunter), I listen to him. If he can give you some high leverage dime plays at DB on top of that… well, he’s easily the best player in the draft to me. It’s not even really that close.
Right, I definitely don’t see Carter like that. I think you can get almost as much out of Stewart or Mykel (Mike Green too though I doubt we take him), especially once they get with our staff. And they won’t cost nearly as much. They might not cost anything at all.
You’re comparing Stewart to Carter? Stewart is all projection, he’s proven very little at the college level. I don’t see this staff being interested in Green at all. Carter is much more of a game wrecker than those guys.
Also, with Hunter what are you getting? WR, corner? He’s not paying both at the NFL level. You’re getting an elite athlete and a very high character guy but there’s some unknown with him. Carter is the most sure thing in this draft IMO.
I’m just saying that there is no player worth that kind of draft capital.
You put all your eggs in the basket of a player that hasn’t played a down in the NFL. There’s also always the injury factor. It can happen to any player at any time.
The risk far, far, far outweighs the reward.
We need our picks to keep the depth strong to be able to withstand injuries and if we draft well (which Holmes has obviously done) we’ll get an edge player, maybe 2 to bolster the pass rush in a much more natural way.
I could be wrong and he ends up being phenomenal, but I watched him get handled 1 on 1 twice this year and one of the times live. Both those guys are projected 1st rounders, but still.
Oh Carter’s a much better prospect. I would just rather take more of the unknown (but similar if not higher ceiling) of Stewart and keep our picks than give up so much draft capital to move up.
Carter is definitely better right now, but I don’t think he’s this flawless prospect. He’s not much of a factor against the run except in a run-and-chase capacity, and he’s late to recognize pullers and other offensive deceptions. Not something that can’t be fixed with more reps, but that’s still a projection.
Mostly though, I was kind of turned off by reading what the scouts said about him in Bob McGinn’s series over on Go Long. To wit:
“He’s a Pro Bowl player. He’s got everything you’re looking for as an edge rusher. But he’s not a quality guy.” That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter’s makeup. “He’s not a great worker,” said one. “Plays his ass off on Saturday but he’s not a great guy during the week because he’s so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his ass off. He’s a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out.” Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. “Super athletic,” said a fifth scout. “There’s a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10.”
I just don’t think that sounds like a Detroit Lion under this current FO, so I can’t justify the draft capital. And I think he’s far from a sure thing. Give me the coachable, hot motor, good teammate with the work ethic instead.
Don’t take any issue with this although Stewart is far far less likely to reach his ceiling.
It was this that I questioned I think you can get almost as much out of Stewart
Of course it’s always possible that Stewart is as good or a better NFL player than Carter but it’s a big longshot. Stewart is all about skill projection, he’s a project pick essentially. Scouts love his physical tools but it hasn’t actually translated to the field yet so you’re taking quite a leap of faith taking him in the 1st or top 15 especially as he’s being projected now.
TBH, I didn’t see much about Carter’s work ethic concerns so you bringing that to my attention has me doing a bit of an about face on him especially in regards to this staff. They simply refuse to even consider a kid that isn’t completely in love with football.
Regardless, keeping the pick or doing a modest trade up like they did with Terrion might be the better player is fine too. I’m just saying that the Lions have the organizational depth and the resources to take a bigger swing.
Yeah I didn’t phrase that very well. I just suspect that our staff will be able to maximize Stewart - a guy with a hot motor who’s said to have strong work ethic, be a good teammate, etc… (those same scouts waxed poetic about his character) to the point that I think the difference between what he’ll give us and what Carter gives another team will be close enough that it won’t be worth the extra capital. Even if he’s never a star.
