The Detroit Lions may have been plotting a much bigger move during the 2026 NFL Draft than anyone initially realized, and a new behind-the-scenes video from the New York Giants has let the cat out of the bag.
In footage released by the Giants, their draft room is buzzing as they prepare to pick at No. 37 overall in the second round. General Manager Joe Schoen is seen fielding multiple trade-down offers, and one conversation in particular has caught the attention of Lions fans everywhere.
According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, Schoen appears to discuss a package that includes picks 118, 128, and 157. If you add Detroit's own No. 50 selection into the mix, that's a whopping four picks being offered to jump just 13 spots. That would have been an aggressive move even by Brad Holmes' standards.
For context, the Lions ultimately traded up from No. 50 to No. 44 to select Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore, giving up only pick 128 to make it happen. But this new intel suggests Holmes may have originally been targeting Moore much earlier in the round—and was willing to pay a premium to get him.
After the draft, Holmes made no secret of how highly the Lions valued the Wolverines pass rusher. "He was part of that cluster of guys that we were targeting today," Holmes said. "He was already at top of mind going up. Derrick might have been our No. 3 or No. 4 edge rusher, whatever it is, but today, he was our No. 1 for what was available."
Interestingly, the Giants turned down Detroit's apparent offer because Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood was still on the board at No. 37. That decision may have actually worked out perfectly for the Lions. By staying patient and waiting just seven more picks, Detroit still landed Moore while keeping two valuable selections that later became linebacker Jimmy Rolder and cornerback Keith Abney.
In the end, what looked like a simple trade-up turned out to be a fascinating chess match that nearly reshaped the Lions' entire draft class. Sometimes the best moves are the ones that never happen.