NFL Draft: 5 teams most likely to make a trade in Round 1

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots gives a thumbs up during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Matt Patricia /

3. Detroit Lions

No one can blame the Lions if they stay at No. 3 and come away with Jeff Okudah. He’d be a terrific replacement for Darius Slay at cornerback. That’s not Detroit’s best plan though.

Instead, Matt Patricia and the team’s front office should be looking to maximize the value of that selection. The Lions should be fielding calls from teams that want to move up to that spot in the draft to select the quarterback of their dreams. Holding a quiet auction for the No. 3 pick is Detroit’s best play.

It’s not as if the Lions don’t have numerous holes to fill. Moving off the third pick and acquiring more draft capital might speed up this team’s path towards competitiveness. That might not be enough to save Patricia’s job, but it should make the opening more attractive for the next coach.

Don’t expect to see Detroit to make a deal anytime soon. It is in their best interest to wait as long as possible before cashing in on the third pick. Any team that wants to select Tua Tagovailoa should be a prime trade partner for the Lions.

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