Analyzing Detroit Lions' Best Trade Options with 23rd Pick in NFL Draft

NFL mock drafts are always whining about how hard it is to project trades. Feh. The bold don't just embrace the possibility of a first-round trade, they write entire articles dedicated to the subject.

They say fortune favors the bold so the Detroit Lions would be wise to heed that advice. Sure, they can grab an adequate cornerback, defensive tackle or offensive lineman at 23rd overall, or they could make a power move to grab a true instant-impact player.

There are plenty of options available to general manager Martin Mayhew. It's enough to make anybody's head spin. So consider reading this article as an investment in your health.

Disclaimer: It is difficult to craft a mock draft with trades. That sentiment just didn't fit my lede.

Proper Valuation is the Foundation

Every NFL team has the same chart that provides guidance for making draft trades. Detroit is no different. The chart, courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com, gives Detroit's first-round pick a value of 760 points.

Remember that these numbers are a guide, not an absolute. Nobody is going to take a lifetime supply of fifth-round picks for a first-rounder regardless of how well they could employ them.

As for the Lions moving up, it would cost too much to find an instant-impact player, and most of their target positions (cornerback, offensive line, running back) have enough depth to let the draft come to them. The only exception could be safety Landon Collins from Alabama since the safety class could best be described as "meh."

In sum, there probably aren't many options for Detroit to move up or down in this draft.

But where's the fun in that? We have to project at least one trade up in an article about draft trades; especially after the shade I threw in the opening. So how does jumping up to the 15th spot grab you?

The San Francisco 49ers' 15th-overall pick garners 1,050 points. To make it worth San Francisco's while, Mayhew will probably have to part with a pair of third-round picks (this year's and 2016's), but he'll have to be convinced that either the above-mentioned Collins is his must-have safety of the future or there's a particular cornerback available there he can't live without.

There will be few options available to move back because of the lack of quarterbacking prospects outside of the top two. The drop off from Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota to Brett Hundley and Bryce Petty is akin to the difference between cats and dogs. They're not the same animals.

That's the only way I can see Detroit jumping up in this draft. Cheap talent is too valuable to be throwing a bunch of picks for the right to use one, and that motto is embraced by most of the league, so it could be difficult to entice anyone to jump up to 23. However, for the sake of conversation, here are three scenarios that at least make some sense on paper.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks aren't the type of team to overreach for any prospect. Yet, running back Marshawn Lynch is a huge part of their offense and Beastmode may be looking for greener pastures within the next couple of months.

Sure, Russell Wilson has established himself as a noteworthy quarterback, but is he a guy who can elevate an offense on his own? Nobody knows. Thus, trying to move up to grab either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon might be in the team's best interest.

"

Top running backs in 2015 draft via @BuckyBrooks: 1. Todd Gurley 2. Melvin Gordon 3. Tevin Coleman 4. Duke Johnson 5. T.J. Yeldon

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 4, 2015"

The chart says Detroit could demand a third and a fourth for the first-rounder swap. Mayhew would be smart to take that deal for even less. If the Seahawks offered a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder, who blinks first?

New England Patriots

There are plenty of reasons that Bill Belichick and company would laugh at this. The Pats just won the Super Bowl by toeing the line of moving back in the draft and finding guys who fit the mold.

However, everybody in the front office knows that Tom Brady won't be around forever. You have to strike while the iron is hot. If wide receivers Kevin White or Jaelen Strong are available here and they're both difference makers, don't be surprised to see the world champs take a shot at exploiting their current championship window.

Why would Belichick care about leaving the cupboard full for the next guy? Don't be shocked to see the hoodie go all in while the getting is good.

Oakland Raiders

As we've discussed, there aren't a lot of prospects worth taking a leap for, so don't expect a lot of early second-round teams to come knocking on Detroit's door.

But that's why everyone loves the Raiders.

You never know what they're going to do. Granted, Al Davis' passing means Oakland won't target the fastest guy on the board, but the team might want an offensive playmaker to sell tickets.

"

2. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin - Electric outside runner, solid blocker, and elusive as all get up. If used right, could be a top NFL RB.

— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) February 8, 2015"

Thus, for the same reasons listed above, this deal could get done. Oakland is usually down for a spanking in the trade section (see: Seymour, Richard), so don't rule out a third-rounder. But assuming logic has found an office in the Bay Area, don't be shocked the Raiders offer this year's fourth and a third in 2016.

So what have we learned? This year's draft class doesn't bring the value that 2014 contained and the market for moving around from 23rd overall isn't bustling. But there are possibilities out there. As things develop over the next couple months, one of the above is probably Mayhew's best chance at making a move.

All salary-cap numbers are sourced from Spotrac.com. All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.