Kansas City moved from No. 17 to No. 15 in 2008 and also…
Kansas City moved from No. 17 to No. 15 in 2008 and also received pick 76, selecting tackle Branden Albert and tight end Brad Cottam. Albert became a six-year Chiefs starter and Pro Bowler before Kansas City later traded him to Miami. Detroit took tackle Gosder Cherilus at No. 17 and also received later selections, producing solid value on both sides but leaving Kansas City with the best player in the exchange.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2008 1st round pick (17th overall, Gosder Cherilus ), 2008 3rd round pick (66th overall subsequently traded, Kendall Langford ) and 2008 5th round pick (136th overall, Kenny Moore)
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 2008 1st round pick (15th overall, Branden Albert)
- pick 2008 3rd round pick (76th overall, Brad Cottam)
Trade Analysis
Kansas City entered the 2008 draft with major needs along the offensive line and used a small move up to secure Virginia tackle Branden Albert. The Chiefs sent Detroit the 17th pick plus additional draft capital and received No. 15 and No. 76. Albert went at 15, while Kansas City used the third-rounder on tight end Brad Cottam. Detroit stayed in the same tackle market and selected Boston College's Gosder Cherilus two spots later.
Albert became the most valuable player produced by the exchange. He started 83 games for Kansas City over six seasons, handled the demanding left-tackle assignment and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2013. When the Chiefs were ready to move on, they traded him to Miami in 2014 for a second-round pick, adding another layer of value to the original transaction. Cottam's career was limited by injuries, but Albert alone made the move worthwhile.
Detroit also received a legitimate starter. Cherilus started 71 games over five Lions seasons and gave the club stability at right tackle before signing with Indianapolis in free agency. The additional draft capital included the 66th and 136th selections, although those assets were moved through other transactions and did not become major Detroit building blocks. The Lions therefore did not lose badly by moving down; they still solved a starting offensive-line need.
Because both teams came away with multi-year starting tackles, the grade spread should remain modest. Detroit earns a B- for staying close in the first round, adding capital and getting five seasons from Cherilus. Kansas City earns a B+ because Albert played the more valuable position, reached a Pro Bowl and later generated another premium pick in trade. The Chiefs win narrowly, but this was a productive exchange for both organizations rather than a one-sided draft-day mistake.