Detroit moved up to No. 57 for running back Mikel Leshoure,…
Detroit moved up to No. 57 for running back Mikel Leshoure, sending Seattle a package that became John Moffitt, Kris Durham, Richard Sherman and Pep Levingston. The trade is defined by Sherman, a fifth-round pick who became an elite All-Pro cornerback, centerpiece of the Legion of Boom and Super Bowl champion. Detroit received limited value from Leshoure and the later selections, creating an overwhelming Seattle advantage.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2011 2nd round pick (57th overall, Mikel Leshoure)
- pick 2011 5th round pick (157th overall, Doug Hogue)
- pick 2011 7th round pick (209th overall, Johnny Culbreath)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2011 3rd round pick (75th overall, John Moffitt)
- pick 2011 4th round pick (107th overall, Kris Durham)
- pick 2011 5th round pick (154th overall, Richard Sherman)
- pick 2011 7th round pick (205th overall, Pep Levingston)
Trade Analysis
Why Detroit Moved Up
Detroit targeted Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure and climbed to pick No. 57 in the 2011 second round. The Lions sent Seattle a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder, a fifth-rounder and a seventh-rounder, while also receiving later fifth- and seventh-round selections. It was a significant consolidation of draft capital around one offensive player.
What Seattle Received
The Seahawks used their acquired selections on guard John Moffitt, receiver Kris Durham, cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive lineman Pep Levingston. Not every pick worked. Moffitt had a short career, Durham found more production elsewhere and Levingston contributed little. Sherman, however, completely changed the value equation.
How Sherman Redefined the Trade
Selected at No. 154, Sherman became one of the defining defensive players of his era. He earned multiple first-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections, starred in the Legion of Boom secondary and helped Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII. His interception production, coverage reputation and postseason impact gave the Seahawks elite value from a fifth-round choice.
What Detroit Got Back
Leshoure lost his rookie season to injury and never became the featured back Detroit envisioned. He had one productive season but did not build a long Lions career. Doug Hogue and Johnny Culbreath also failed to generate enough value to close the enormous gap created by Sherman's emergence.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. Sherman alone would make the deal a major success, and the additional acquired selections only strengthen the return. Seattle earns an A+. Detroit receives a D because the move-up package produced limited sustained value and no player remotely approaching Sherman's franchise impact.