New England moved up two spots in the 2001 second round and…
New England moved up two spots in the 2001 second round and selected tackle Matt Light, while Detroit turned the return into center Dominic Raiola and linebacker Jason Glenn. Light started 153 games and won three Super Bowls with New England. Raiola was also an exceptional long-term return, appearing in 219 games and starting 203. The Patriots win narrowly because Light paired elite durability with championship-level value.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2001 2nd round pick (50th overall, Dominic Raiola )
- pick 2001 6th round pick (173rd overall, Jason Glenn)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2001 2nd round pick (48th overall, Matt Light)
Trade Analysis
Why New England Moved Up
The Patriots entered the second round with a clear chance to secure an offensive tackle they valued and paid a modest price to move from No. 50 to No. 48. Detroit received the 50th selection plus No. 173. New England used the higher pick on Matt Light, who became an immediate starter and a long-term fixture on the blind side. The cost was real, but the move targeted a premium position and produced exactly the kind of continuity a contender wants.
What Detroit Built From the Return
Detroit’s side aged extremely well. The Lions used No. 50 on Dominic Raiola, who appeared in 219 career games and made 203 starts, almost all of them for Detroit. Jason Glenn, selected with the added sixth-round choice, was a smaller part of the return, but the central result was a durable starting center who remained with the franchise for 14 seasons. That makes this far closer than a typical move-up win.
How Light Created the Separation
Light started 153 of his 155 career games and became a foundational tackle for New England. He was part of three Super Bowl championship teams and protected the edge through the first decade of the Patriots’ dynasty. Raiola supplied greater raw game volume, but Light combined longevity with a more valuable position and repeated championship-level contribution. Both teams found a core offensive lineman from the exchange.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win, but only by a narrow margin. The Patriots earn an A for turning a two-slot move into a championship-caliber left tackle. Detroit earns an A- because Raiola became one of the most durable players in franchise history and made the trade highly productive on both sides.