2011 NFL Draft: 10 Detroit Lions Trade-Up or Trade-Down Scenarios

The Detroit Lions seem to have a great amount of freedom in the 2011 NFL draft.

For the first time in a long time, they are not stuck at the top, forced into a pick. Now they have an option to move up into the top 10 if they feel inclined, but they could also move back if given the right pieces in return.

This concept also applies in the second round and beyond. There is a good chance that the Lions can get at least two picks in the first or second round, and there is definitely a good shot of that in the third and up.

Detroit can make some huge additions to the roster and to the depth chart in this 2011 NFL draft, but they might have to get a little bit risky and consider trading up or down.

Here are 10 scenarios for the Detroit Lions to trade up or down.

10. Down for Jonathan Baldwin

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Trade second-round pick for a third-round pick.

I believe that Jonathan Baldwin is an incredible wide receiver that has just taken some hits because of few bad showings in the offseason.

At one point, many considered him to be the third-best receiver in this draft, though, and if the Lions were to move down, he would be the guy I would target in the third round.

9. Down for Anthony Castonzo

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Boston College Eagles congratulates teammate Montel Harris #2 after Harris scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles on October 3, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Che

Trade Pick No. 13 for late first-round and additional pick.

Anthony Castonzo is a great lineman, and he would fit very nicely on the Lions front line.

The problem with him, though, is that he is not good enough to warrant such a high pick in my opinion, and if the Lions aren’t able to go after Tyron Smith, I think trading down to a spot where Castonzo could be taken would be a good move.

The teams in the late first round will be chomping at the bit trying to get up higher, and the Lions could probably swindle away a pick or two and lock up their line at the same time.

8. Up for Da'Quan Bowers

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Trade second-round pick for first-round pick.

Bowers' stock has been really dropping due to concerns about his knee and conditioning.

Some are projecting that he could fall out of the first round, but I think that his name alone will get him drafted by one of the more well-off teams in the late first round.

The Lions would have the option to trade up out of the second round to a late first-round spot and take a chance on Bowers, and I think that one of those teams would go for it.

Questions or not, Bowers would be a huge addition to put next to Ndamukong Suh, and you would be getting him at a great value.

7. Down for DeMarco Murray

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

Trade third-round pick for fourth-round pick.

If the Lions were put into the position to trade down from their third-round pick into the fourth round, I would use that pick to snatch up DeMarco Murray out of Oklahoma.

He’s projected to go in the late fourth, and with two picks in Round 4, it would allow the Lions to be a little bit more flexible with what they do.

Murray would be a great change-of-pace back that would bring a lot to the offense and special teams right off the bat.

6. Down for Akeem Ayers

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Coffman #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats is met by Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the first half at the Rose Bowl on September 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Trade second-round pick for late first-round pick.

Akeem Ayers has shown a ton of promise, but a low 40-yard dash time really raised some flags for a lot of teams.

His quickness is enough of a problem where I could easily see him dropping to the late first round.

If the Lions could trade up out of their second-round pick and get Ayers at a good spot, things could be looking really good.

This scenario would work really nicely, specifically if the Lions decide to address the offensive line with pick No. 13.

They could bolster the offense and defense in the first round.

5. Up for Mark Ingram

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Trade second-round pick for late first-round pick.

This is a scenario in which the Lions would be making this move purely out of greed, but I think that it could be a chance worth taking.

If the Lions feel that they’ve addressed a huge franchise need at No. 13, then I would like to see them do everything they can do trade up out of the second round and try to get Mark Ingram.

Putting him together with Jahvid Best would give the Lions the best one-two punch in the league at running back, and I believe that he will be available in the late first round.

It’s a bold move, but you have to be bold if you want to win.

4. Down for Jimmy Smith

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Rex Burkhead #22 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers slips past Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Fr

Trade No. 13 pick for late first-round and additional pick.

I’ve said all along that I believe that Jimmy Smith has first-round talent, but the issues with his character have been hindering his potential, so it would be unwise to draft him so high.

If the Lions were able to get another pick out of a trade down, I think drafting Smith in the late first round would be a lot more justifiable.

The teams in the back half of the round have the privilege of being a little bit more liberal with their picks, and they have the options to take some risks and make trades.

Trading up and giving away a pick would be no sweat to get the No. 13 pick in some of the more established teams' eyes.

3. Up for Von Miller

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Von Miller of Texas A&M works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Trade No. 13 pick to Arizona for No. 5 pick.

I have seen mocks that predict Von Miller being available for Arizona at pick No. 5.

Miller would be a huge upgrade for the Lions at linebacker and could be another young star to add to the defense.

Arizona obviously has quarterback problems, and by that time, I think Cam Newton will be off the board. The next viable option at quarterback would be Blaine Gabbert, who I think would be available at No. 13.

Obviously the Lions would really have to sweeten up this trade a little bit, but it’s not an impossible scenario.

2. Up for Prince Amukamara

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Wide receiver Cameron Kenney #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball against Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo

Trade No. 13 pick to Dallas for No. 9 pick.

The Lions have found great success swindling Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys out of draft picks in the past, so why not keep that trend up?

Dallas is sitting pretty in the No. 9 slot, and I don’t see much of a difference a jump to No. 13 would make in their picks.

This would be a great place for the Lions to throw in a potential late-round pick as part of the trade to really entice the greed of Jerry Jones.

At No. 9, drafting Prince Amukamara would be a great reality instead of a pipe dream for the Lions.

1. Up for Patrick Peterson

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Chris Masson #7 of the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns looks to throw under pressure from Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in B

Trade No. 13 pick to San Francisco for No. 7 pick.

It’s been said time and time again that the Lions need to bolster their secondary.

Last year, it proved to be better, but to be honest it is nowhere near the level it should be at, especially considering the Lions' expectations for this season.

This trade up would be a bold statement to the fanbase, and it’s not entirely unrealistic, either.

Lots of mocks have Peterson going at about No. 6 or 7, which would mean that he could fall to the 49ers.

San Francisco has a great defense already and one of the problems they need to address is quarterback, so the Lions might be able to swap picks and snag Peterson.

Taking one of the quarterbacks at No. 13 would be much more justifiable for their organization, and drafting for want rather than their need at quarterback would end up doing the 49ers a disservice.

They are prime for the picking, and if the Lions are smart, they will be blowing up the phone lines over in the bay if Peterson is available.

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