Suggested Trade-Up Prospect for Lions in 2025 Draft Appears to Be an Ideal Fit
If the Lions decide to trade up in April’s draft, this player would certainly be a strong option.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes may not subscribe to the idea that the team is in a “Super Bowl window.” However, it’s clear that their list of offseason needs is short, and Holmes has shown a willingness to maneuver within the draft.
A trade for Myles Garrett or another elite edge rusher seems unlikely for the Lions. Fortunately, this year’s draft class is deep at that position, meaning a quality starter could be available at pick No. 28 or even later at pick No. 60 in the second round.
That said, Holmes has proven he is willing to be aggressive in the draft. If there’s a player the Lions covet in the first round, they could make a serious push to move up from pick No. 28 to secure him.
Ideal Trade-Up Target for the Lions
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report compiled a list of eight teams that should aggressively pursue a trade-up in the 2025 draft, each paired with a potential target. The Lions ranked No. 5 on the list.
“The Detroit Lions are coming off their most successful regular season in franchise history… but suffered a disappointing playoff exit in the Divisional Round. A key factor in their failure to reach the team’s first Super Bowl was the lack of a consistent pass rush after Aidan Hutchinson was sidelined for the season.”
With that in mind, Davenport identified Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton as a prime trade-up candidate for Detroit.
“Shemar Stewart may receive more pre-draft attention—to the point that teammate Nic Scourton could still be available at No. 28. However, at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, Scourton might be worth a trade-up for the Lions. He is one of the most NFL-ready edge prospects in this draft and has drawn comparisons to longtime Saints standout Cameron Jordan.”
Scourton recorded 10 sacks, 50 total tackles, and 15 tackles for loss at Purdue in 2023. Last season at Texas A&M, he had five sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 37 total tackles, earning First-Team All-SEC honors. A deeper look at Pro Football Focus metrics shows he tallied 36 quarterback pressures in 2024, down slightly from 42 in 2023, while maintaining the same number of hurries (28). The takeaway: #sacksarerandom.
Scourton’s pass-rushing skills and physical attributes (6-foot-4, 280 pounds) align well with the Lions’ preference for edge rushers. He has also emerged as a common pick for Detroit in recent mock drafts.
Davenport summed up the situation well. While Scourton appears to be a great fit, the Lions don’t have to focus solely on him in a potential trade-up scenario to find a running mate for Hutchinson.
“The key point is this: the Lions need a pass-rushing partner for Hutchinson. If Holmes identifies a prospect like Scourton that he believes in, Detroit should not hesitate to make a move to secure him.”