Friday Open Thread: How much should the Lions give up to draft Chase Young?

The number of names on the top of the Detroit Lions hypothetical draft board is pretty small, as evidenced by the consistent themes played out in most mock drafts. The Lions have clear needs and a high selection, allowing the team to be choosy. Unfortunately, they are unlikely to get their very top choice with two organizations ahead of them in the order.

There is one way to change that, however. It is almost unthinkable for the Bengals to take someone other than Joe Burrow with the first overall pick, leaving just one other team ahead of Detroit. If the Lions front office really wanted a take their guy (read: Chase Young), it would simply require swapping spots with Washington.

Today’s Question of the Day is:

How much should the Lions give up for Chase Young?

My answer: Just three years ago we saw a team trade up from the third pick to the second pick, although the Lions are unlikely to replicate this deal. The Bears infamously gave up their third and fourth-round picks of the 2017 draft, as well as their third in the 2018 draft, to draft Mitchell Trubisky ahead of the 49ers. This deal was laughable for many reasons, but it does give us a baseline.

Chase Young is an electric talent and would fit this team perfectly. However, there is no way Detroit should give up two thirds and a fourth for him. Knowing what exactly it would take is tough to pinpoint, but the cost is likely a couple picks, with one being at least a third rounder. Would this year’s third and fifth get it done? Probably not, but that is about as much as I would be willing to pay. If that was the price, the Lions should feel pretty happy and consider taking the deal.