Jared Goff Matthew Stafford NFL draft trade
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NFL.com's Chad Reuter predicted the Detroit Lions to trade up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite making the offensive line a priority in free agency, the Detroit Lions could still use another top lineman prospect. A new mock draft has the Lions executing an NFL Draft trade to fill that need.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter projected the Lions to acquire the No. 13 overall pick from the Los Angeles Rams.
At No. 13 overall, Reuter then predicted the Lions to select Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano.
“The Lions ignored Penei Sewell’s lack of ideal arm length (33 1/4 inches) when selecting him seventh overall in 2021,” Reuter wrote. “They throw caution to the wind again, moving up for an excellent blocker with 32 1/8-inch arms — and the versatility to play tackle, guard or center.
“Detroit sends a fifth-rounder this year (No. 157 overall) and a 2027 third-rounder to the Rams, who recoup some draft currency after giving up multiple picks in the deal for CB Trent McDuffie.”
In summary, Reuter’s mock draft trade between the Lions and Rams had Detroit sending No. 17 overall and No. 157 overall, along with a third-rounder next year, to Los Angeles for No. 13.
The No. 13 pick came to Los Angeles through a trade the Rams made with the Atlanta Falcons last April.
Lions Predicted to Make NFL Draft Trade With Rams
The Lions and Rams executing a 2026 NFL Draft trade would be fitting. The two teams made one of the biggest trades this decade, swapping Pro Bowl quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.
The deal also included two first-round picks (2022 and 2023) going to Detroit, along with a 2021 third-rounder.
The trade worked out for both sides. Goff has become a franchise quarterback with the Lions, who also turned Los Angeles’s draft picks into players such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams.
With the Rams, Stafford won a Super Bowl and league MVP award.
A Day 1 NFL Draft trade could work for both teams again. Moving up will help the Lions guarantee they get one of the top offensive line prospects of the 2026 class.
The extra draft capital will give the Rams a third-round pick next season. Los Angeles won’t have its own third-rounder in 2027 because of the Trent McDuffie trade.
Lions Projected to Select Utah’s Spencer Fano
Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling has been a popular selection for the Lions in NFL mock drafts. But in Reuter’s newest mock, Freeling landed with the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 overall.
That was after Miami’s Francis Mauigoa went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3.
Should that happen, the next best offensive line choices could be gone by No. 17.
Because of his versatility, not every analyst has Fano ranked on their 2026 offensive tackles list. But in Fano, the Lions would be getting what some pundits consider the second-best lineman prospect in the 2026 class.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein placed the Utah product in the “will become good starter within two years” tier.
NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranked Fano the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2026 class.
“Not all NFL teams will view him as a tackle at the next level because of his lack of length (32 1/8-inch arms), but he does have five-position versatility on the offensive line,” wrote Jeremiah. “I love his playing temperament.
“Overall, Fano is an explosive people mover with upside and probably fits best on the interior for most teams.”
If the Lions don’t have an issue with Fano’s arm length, he could start at either tackle position. The Lions released former first-round left tackle Taylor Decker this offseason.