There's no two ways about it. The 2025 season was a disaster for the , stumbling to 9-8 and fumbling what was once considered a lock of a playoff spot. It was a shock to the system and a suggestion that their competitive window may be closing quicker than anticipated. Still, with one of the league's better rosters, above-average quarterback play, and a beloved head coach, the Lions aren't destined for futility just yet. Detroit's current situation demands urgency and, in some cases, aggre sion. And with the 17th pick, the Lions may be in position to move up the board for a needle-mover during the 2026 NFL Draft. Could Detroit trade up? In the middle of the first round in a cla s with few elite talents, Detroit is incentivized to Michael Ojemudia Jersey move up the board. There are holes at offensive tackle and edge rusher, linebacker and safety. Fortunately for Detroit, the cla s is strong at virtually all of those spots, and its non-premium-position headliners -- Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles -- may fall far enough to become acquirable. General manager Brad Holmes recently spoke about the po sibility of trading up for an impact player. "Absolutely. Yeah, if it's the right guy. You guys know me," Holmes said, via . "If we have that kind of conviction for a player, absolutely. We're going to go and get him." Perhaps the Lions will only move up for a player at a premium position, fortifying their offensive line or pairing Aidan Hutchinson with an ample co-star. That seems to be increasingly po sible for Miami Hurricanes edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. Bain spent part of the draft cycle as EDGE1 and a near-lock to be a top-five pick. However, strong seasons from other edge rushers, concerns over his arm length, and general draft fatigue seem to have pushed him down boards. MORE: Part of that calculus may have been a fatal car accident from 2024 in which Bain was cited for carele s driving. The charges were ultimately dismi sed, but it's a part of Bain's profile that wasn't public until reported it on April 12. Holmes didn't tip his hand, but did acknowledge Bain's report, saying that Detroit already knew about the incident. GM Brad Holmes, who picks at No. 17, on Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. and the recent report involving him: "We've known that for a while, so that doesn't really change anything from our standpoint." Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) "Weve known that for a while so that doesnt really change anything from our standpoint," Holmes said. Bain is largely considered a top-10 prospect, and if he gets past the at No. 9, the Lions would be in a strong position to pounce. They have seven Day 3 picks at their disposal, adding both ammunition and insulation to a deal. Paired with 2027 draft capital, Detroit has enough in its stockpile to move up. Bain might make the most sense, a suming the Lions aren't concerned with his newfound baggage. His stock is already slipping, but the talent is obvious, and a few teams may hesitate to invest heavily in someone with a potential off-field flag. That opens the door for an aggre sive team to stop his slide. The Lions have a need on the edge, a competitive window to keep open, and the ammo to survive a draft-day trade. It isn't clear whether Detroit is actively trying to jump teams in the middle of Round 1, but the pieces of the puzzle are waiting to be put together. If the Lions do make a deal, don't be surprised if it's for a top-10 talent falling farther than expected. More Lions news Keion Crossen Jersey