Could a Denver-Detroit Trade Still Happen?

In the Queen Mary-size wake of the Jay Cutler-to-Chicago trade on Thursday, the rest of the NFL is now in a "What Now?" mode.  Now looking for a face and an identity, the team with the biggest questions to answer is the Broncos.

There were rumors that the Broncos were considering trading Cutler to Detroit for the top overall pick in this year's draft; but, when the Bears offered a package bordering on Herschel Walker-to-Minnesota for him, Denver's hands were tied.

So now that the Broncos have the 12th and 18th picks in the first round and figuring that Stafford will go in one of the first five picks, what does Denver do?

Here's an intriguing scenario for both Denver and Detroit; what if Denver offered both the 12th and 18th pick to the Lions for the top pick?

Then, Denver would have the top overall pick to use on Stafford, a pick in the middle of the second round, and two in the third—thanks to Chicago.  The Broncos have already spent a lot of money upgrading their roster this winter, bringing in names like Brian Dawkins to remedy their issues from 2008.

Meanwhile, Detroit would suddenly hold the middle of the draft in the palm of their hands. In this scenario, the Lions would have the 12th, 18th and 20th overall selections, as well as the 33rd pick to begin the second round.

Four picks in the top 33? Sounds like a recipe for a franchise to be reborn.

So far this offseason, the Lions have added free agents, defensive tackle Grady Jackson and corner Philip Buchanon, and traded for linebacker Julian Peterson.

With the 12th pick, the Lions could probably still see USC's Mark Sanchez on the board to be their future quarterback.

How would Rey Maualuga or James Laurinaitis look between Peterson and Ernie Sims? Either of them could very easily be taken with the 18th or 20th pick.

Not that the men of Troy should completely take over Detroit, but add the top middle linebacker and a quality quarterback to their roster and it would put two franchise players on the field for the next decade.

With the 20th pick, if the Lions take an inside linebacker at No. 18, an offensive tackle to protect Sanchez could be possible. Many draft projections still have Michael Oher or Eben Britton still available at both No. 18 and No. 20.

At No. 33, the Lions could be looking at a talented player that, at that point in their first day, would be gravy. 

Maybe a top player for their secondary to play next to Buchanon, like Darius Butler or Louis Delmas.

Or maybe this is where they look at a receiver that's fallen out of the first round, like Hakeem Nicks, to replace both Roy Williams and Mike Furrey.

Imagine the swagger in Detroit if they got to their first mini-camp, after going 0-16, having four new top-tier talents on their roster playing next to a few good youngsters and some solid veteran acquisitions.

The NFC North has the best young running back in the NFL in Minnesota.  As of Thursday it has one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL in Chicago and a solid young nucleus around a good young quarterback in Green Bay.

Detroit has a lot of catching up to do.

One deal with Denver could do it.