The 2015 Shane Ray Trade: Denver Bought a Pass Rusher, Detroit Bought Volume
Denver moved up five spots for Shane Ray, sending Detroit a first-rounder, two fifth-rounders and Manny Ramirez. Ray contributed to a title team, but the premium price limited Denver's long-term return.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2015 1st round pick (23rd overall, Shane Ray)
Detroit Lions Received
- pick Manuel Ramirez, 2015 1st round pick (28th overall, Laken Tomlinson ), 2015 5th round pick (143rd overall subsequently traded, MyCole Pruitt ) and 2016 5th round pick (169th overall, Antwione Williams)
Trade Summary
Denver Broncos acquired 2015 1st round pick (23rd overall, Shane Ray) from Detroit Lions for Manuel Ramirez, 2015 1st round pick (28th overall, Laken Tomlinson), 2015 5th round pick (143rd overall subsequently traded, MyCole Pruitt) and 2016 5th round pick (169th overall, Antwione Williams). Detroit Lions received the stronger long-term football value, matching the Detroit Lions Win verdict.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Denver moved from No. 28 to No. 23 in the 2015 first round to select Missouri pass rusher Shane Ray. The Broncos sent Detroit No. 28, No. 143, a 2016 fifth-round pick and veteran offensive lineman Manny Ramirez. Detroit used No. 28 on guard Laken Tomlinson, while the later selections became additional depth assets.
Why Denver Was Willing to Pay
The Broncos were operating inside a championship window and wanted another edge defender for an already talented defense. Ray joined a roster that won Super Bowl 50 in his rookie season, so the trade did contribute to an immediate team goal. That context should not be ignored when judging the move purely by career length.
The problem was the price relative to Ray's long-term production. NFL.com's fifth-year option review noted that he had 13 sacks through his first three seasons, and Denver ultimately declined the option. He never became the long-term premium pass rusher that usually justifies moving up in the first round.
Detroit's return was broader rather than spectacular. Tomlinson did not become a star for the Lions, and some of the later value was realized elsewhere in the league. Still, Detroit acquired multiple controllable assets and an experienced lineman while moving down only five spots.
Final Verdict
The Detroit Lions Win verdict is reasonable on long-term asset efficiency, but it should not erase Denver's short-term championship context. The Broncos paid a premium for a player who contributed to a Super Bowl roster; Detroit won the value comparison because Ray's tenure never grew large enough to justify the full cost.