Detroit moved up three spots for Brian Branch, who became one…
Detroit moved up three spots for Brian Branch, who became one of the league's most productive young defensive backs. Green Bay moved down, added pick No. 159 for Dontayvion Wicks, then flipped No. 48 to Tampa Bay for the choices used on Jayden Reed and Karl Brooks. Branch is the best single player, but Green Bay created three productive contributors. Both sides earned an excellent return.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2023 2nd round pick (45th overall, Brian Branch )
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 2023 2nd round pick (48th overall, subsequently traded to Tampa Bay)
- pick 2023 5th round pick (159th overall, Dontayvion Wicks )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Green Bay moved from No. 45 to No. 48 in the 2023 second round and received pick No. 159 from Detroit. The Lions selected Brian Branch at No. 45. Green Bay then traded No. 48 to Tampa Bay for Nos. 50 and 179, turning the original return into Jayden Reed and Karl Brooks while using No. 159 on Dontayvion Wicks. That downstream move is important because it shows what Green Bay actually created from the asset it received.
Why Detroit Can Love the Deal
Branch became an immediate defensive difference-maker. Through three seasons he accumulated 243 tackles, 38 passes defensed and seven interceptions while filling multiple roles in Detroit's secondary. The Lions paid a fifth-round pick to move up three spots for a player who developed into one of their defensive building blocks. Even with Green Bay's strong haul, Detroit has no reason to regret targeting Branch.
How Green Bay Multiplied the Return
The Packers did more than simply move back. Reed became a productive starting receiver, topping 790 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons and scoring 14 receiving touchdowns over that span. Brooks developed into a useful defensive lineman with eight sacks through 2025, and Wicks supplied additional receiving depth and production. Three contributors from one trade-down sequence give Green Bay extraordinary aggregate value.
Final Verdict
This is an Even Trade with A- grades for both teams. Branch is the best individual asset, while Green Bay transformed its return into multiple useful players. The result is the rare divisional trade that worked exceptionally well for both sides.