Detroit sent New England a 2019 third-round pick in exchange…
Detroit sent New England a 2019 third-round pick in exchange for the No. 114 pick in the 2018 draft, which the Lions used on defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand. Detroit used No. 114 on Da'Shawn Hand, who had a promising rookie season but struggled to stay healthy and never became a long-term fixture. New England received a 2019 third-round pick, preserving future draft value but ultimately moving that selection again. Neither side converted the exchange into a lasting cornerstone, leaving the realized return close enough for an even verdict.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2018 4th round pick (114th overall, Da'Shawn Hand )
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2019 3rd round pick (73rd overall subsequently traded, David Montgomery )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Detroit sent New England a 2019 third-round pick in exchange for the No. 114 pick in the 2018 draft, which the Lions used on defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand. Detroit wanted immediate defensive-line help and Hand looked like a strong value early in his career. New England preferred a future Day 2 selection, accepting a one-year delay for a higher-round asset. That trade-off between present help and future capital never produced a dramatic payoff for either side.
Why the Value Moved
Detroit used No. 114 on Da'Shawn Hand, who had a promising rookie season but struggled to stay healthy and never became a long-term fixture. New England received a 2019 third-round pick, preserving future draft value but ultimately moving that selection again. Neither side converted the exchange into a lasting cornerstone, leaving the realized return close enough for an even verdict.
How the Trade Aged
The trade never produced enough separation to justify declaring a winner. One side received earlier help while the other preserved future draft value, but injuries, later transactions and limited long-term roles kept either return from becoming a franchise-changing asset. With neither club receiving a durable cornerstone directly from the exchange, the value stayed clustered near the middle.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This trade is a useful reminder that draft charts and announcement-day reactions cannot settle a verdict. A move up can be justified when the targeted player becomes a long-term starter, while a move down can win when extra selections create more total contribution. The fairest historical view follows what the clubs actually received and how long that value lasted.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. The grades are Detroit Lions C+, New England Patriots C+. Both teams receive middle-range marks because each gained a plausible form of value without turning the transaction into a lasting competitive advantage.