Trade Scenarios for Lions to Land CB Quinyon Mitchell

How Lions could move up to land a top cornerback prospect.

Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

The Detroit Lions have many of their needs filled thanks to a strong free agency period. 

General manager Brad Holmes has stockpiled veteran talent in an effort to help the team make a push for a Lombardi Trophy in 2024. However, the Draft will allow him to add young depth to compete with the veteran starters. 

One area that the Lions could target early is the cornerback position. One of the top prospects in the group is Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, who has risen up boards thanks to a strong final year and a good showing at the Senior Bowl. 

With the Lions set to pick 29th overall, Mitchell likely won't be available by the time their pick rolls around. As a result, if Mitchell is their main target, it will take a move from Holmes to slide up the order to get his guy. 

Here are three scenarios in which the Lions could trade up in the Draft to acquire Mitchell. 

Scenario 1: Move up to No. 10 overall (Trade with Jets)

Trade: Jets get No. 29 and 73 overall picks along with a 2025 third-round pick, Lions get No. 10 overall and 2025 fourth-round pick.

The most obvious way to ensure the Lions land Mitchell is by moving into the top-10. However, it will come at a hefty cost. In this scenario, they part ways with their third-round picks both in this year's Draft and next year's. 

In doing so, they jump ahead of multiple cornerback-needy teams. With three quarterbacks projected to go early, along with Marvin Harrison Jr. and at least one offensive lineman, the odds of Mitchell being available are strong. 

The Toledo product is jostling with Alabama's Terrion Arnold to be the top player at the position. As a result, if Arnold is the first cornerback taken it could assure that Mitchell will be there at No. 10 overall. 

While the Lions' capital would take a hit, this trade puts them in the best position to Draft Mitchell relative to value as well as getting ahead of other teams who are in the market for a cornerback. 

We've seen cornerbacks go as high as third overall in recent drafts, so the value of the position warrants a move of this caliber at certain points. 

Scenario 2: Move up to No. 13 overall (Trade with Raiders)

Trade:  Raiders get No. 29, 205 and 249 overall picks along with a 2025 third-round pick, Lions get No. 13 and No. 77 overall picks.

In this move, the Lions are able to get into the top-15 at the expense of their first-round choice, two Day Three picks and next year's third. However, next year's third is essentially swapped for the Raiders' third this year, giving Holmes two selections in that round this year. 

While parting with a sixth and seventh this year would deprive Holmes an opportunity to work his magic, the addition of a second third would give him the opportunity to add another starter-caliber talent. 

Additionally, they would get ahead of New Orleans and Indianapolis, both of whom could be targeting Mitchell. This portion of the Draft could be where the run on cornerbacks starts, so getting to the front of the line would ensure the Lions have their choice of the premium prospects. 

Scenario 3: Move up to No. 21 overall (Trade with Dolphins)

Trade: Dolphins get No. 29 and No. 73 overall picks, Lions get No. 21, 158 and 184 overall picks.

In the event that Mitchell isn't as highly valued by teams as other prospects at the position and starts to slide, this would be a worthwhile move to stop his slide. 

Philadelphia, who has been linked to the top cornerbacks, picks at No. 22 overall. As a result, this move would allow the Lions to bypass the threat of the Eagles taking Mitchell.

Though the trade would require them to part ways with their third-round pick, Holmes would add two Day Three picks in exchange to even out the value. It would give them another pick in both the fifth and sixth rounds, giving the Lions a total of five picks between the two rounds. 

Detroit could either strike with those picks or bundle them to get back into the Draft's second day.