The Detroit Lions are about to break the bank on multiple contract extensions for elite players from the 2023 class on both sides of the football, which makes a monster swing in this year’s NFL draft a logical move and reasonable prediction.
Mina Kimes and Field Yates of ESPN on Friday, April 17 discussed Detroit as one of the most likely teams to move up in Round 1 next Thursday night and pursue one of their two greatest positions of need: pass-rusher and offensive tackle.
Yates made the case off the edge, noting that general manager Brad Holmes has traded up a total of 11 times since taking over Detroit’s front office in 2021.
“I think one of the reasons the Lions make a lot of sense as a trade up team this year is that they aren’t afraid to march to the beat of their own drum, and this is a team that does not want to have a season like last year, where they were on the outside looking in at the playoffs,” Yates said. “They need to get better in a hurry amongst that pass-rushing group. Wouldn’t surprise me if they move on up.”
Should the Lions look to pounce on an elite edge-rusher, there are only three names that make sense — Arvell Reese of Ohio State, David Bailey of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami — as Detroit is likely to be in line to select any pass-rusher outside of that top tier without needing to move up from No. 17.
Miami Pass-Rusher Rueben Bain Jr. Most Likely Trade Target for Lions
GettyMiami Hurricanes edge-defender Rueben Bain Jr.
Bain is the most likely target for multiple reasons.
First, Reese is looking more and more like a lock to go No. 2 to the New York Jets, after that franchise called off its meeting with Bailey on Friday. Next, Bain is physically smaller than Bailey, both in terms of height and arm length, and didn’t have the same kind of production in 2025 in terms of pressures and sacks.
Because of that, the better run defender in Bain is more likely to be available outside of the top five, where Detroit could feasibly get to without having to part with their No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.
Specifically, the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 could be a team willing to deal. Cleveland has plenty of draft capital already, but GM Andrew Berry said earlier this week that the Browns are willing to entertain trade proposals so as to “maximize the asset.”
Aidan Hutchinson, Rueben Bain Jr. Make Sense as Longterm Defensive End Pairing in Detroit
GettyDetroit Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson
It is possible that teams have selected all three of Reese, Bailey and Bain by the No. 6 pick, though it would take a specific falling of the draft-day chips for that to happen. The Jets are likely to take Reese at No. 2, as mentioned above, after the Las Vegas Raiders almost certainly select QB Fernando Mendoza first overall.
The Arizona Cardinals are in the mix for a pass-rusher or offensive tackle at No. 3, while multiple NFL executives predicted this week that the Tennessee Titans and new, defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh will go with a defensive player as well.
If Arizona takes Bailey or Bain third and Tennessee clears the top tier of edge-rushers off the board at No. 4, then Detroit is out of luck and better off staying home, or potentially moving up with a team like the Miami Dolphins at No. 11 if the Lions’ choice of offensive tackles falls outside the top 10.
However, if Bain, Bailey or both slide past Tennessee, the New York Giants are already overstocked with pass-rushers and will more likely look elsewhere at No. 5 That would position Detroit to send Cleveland the Nos. 17 and 50 selections in Rounds 1 and 2, respectively, bump up to the sixth pick and land an edge-rusher to star opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Given Bain’s prowess as a power-rusher with 20.5 sacks in 38 career collegiate games, as well as his ability to defend against the run (33.5 tackles for loss), he is the more complete player compared with Bailey and the safer bet for a smash-mouth Detroit defense.
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