One of the biggest remaining questions with the Detroit Lions this offseason is tight end Sam LaPorta’s future. The former All-Pro tight end is entering a contract year this fall after sustaining a serious back injury in 2025.
This week, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm proposed the possibility of the Lions trading LaPorta.
Such a move could accomplish two important things for general manager Brad Holmes. He would relieve future salary cap pressure the team will face if it keeps all of the successful players it drafted in 2023.
By trading LaPorta, the Lions could also land a top rookie on an affordable long-term deal. In part of Edholm’s proposal, the Lions received the No. 7 overall pick from the Washington Commanders.
Let’s explore what the Lions could do at No. 7 overall if they dealt LaPorta to move up 10 spots in the 2026 first round.
Could the Lions Trade Up for a Top 10 Pick?
There aren’t a ton of draft analysts proposing the Lions make a big leap up the draft board this year.
If the Lions had one major need, such a move would make sense. But Detroit has needs along the offensive line, at edge rusher and in the secondary. The Lions would also have a need at tight end if they dealt LaPorta.
Still, the idea of a top 10 pick has to be intriguing to Lions fans. At No. 7, the Lions could target one of the best offensive linemen in the class. An elite edge rusher such as Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. could remain on the board too.
There isn’t a tight end worthy of being a top 10 selection this year. But at No. 7, the top receivers could all still be available if Detroit saw them as a potential LaPorta replacement.
On the newest 2026 NFL Draft big board from ESPN’s Mel Kiper, the analyst ranked wide receivers Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon at No. 7, 8 and 9, respectively. The top offensive linemen of the class — Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano — sit at No. 10 and 11, respectively, on Kiper’s rankings.
Finally, Kiper has Bain ranked at No. 15 overall.
With the exception of Tyson, those prospects sit at No. 6-14 on NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s latest big board.
In other words, the Lions would have an opportunity to grab any one of those prospects at No. 7 overall. It’s highly unlikely they would get the chance to draft any of them at No. 17.
Even without LaPorta, a receiver probably doesn’t make the most sense for the Lions. But Bain or one of the top tackles would certainly satisfy significant needs.
Cost for Lions Moving Up to No. 7 Overall
On Monday, Edholm included the Lions dealing LaPorta on his list of “trades teams SHOULD make” in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the trade proposal, the Lions sent LaPorta, their No. 17 overall pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to Washington.
In return, the Commanders shipped the No. 7 pick, a 2027 third-rounder, and tight end Ben Sinnott to Detroit.
On paper, it’s a very intriguing proposition. Again, it would give the Lions a lot more options in the first round of the draft.
But Heavy.com’s Beth Mishler-Elmore explained why it’s not a trade very likely to happen.
“This trade would be a massive gamble for Detroit,” Mishler-Elmore wrote. “Sinnott would be a replacement piece in name only — his NFL production to date doesn’t come close to LaPorta’s, and the Lions would have to have their sights completely set on a specific player if they were move up in the draft this year.
“It’s also highly unlikely Detroit wants to part with one of Jared Goff’s favorite playmakers.”
Mishler-Elmore concluded the Lions could deal LaPorta, but argued the compensation has to be right.
Interestingly, even Edholm cast doubt over his own proposal.
“First off, I don’t think LaPorta will be traded. But it wouldn’t totally floor me if he was. LaPorta has been great, and losing him hurts Detroit’s offense, but the big picture must be considered: LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is coming off back surgery,” wrote Edholm.
The No. 7 overall pick would be a terrific asset for the Lions to land in a trade. Even if LaPorta isn’t part of Detroit’s future, though, it might not make the most sense parting with him.
The tight end returning is one of the keys for the Lions offense returning to its 2024 form.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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