Detroit moved from No. 88 to No. 81 in the third round of the…
Detroit moved from No. 88 to No. 81 in the third round of the 2019 draft, sending Minnesota pick No. 88 and sixth-rounder No. 204. The Lions used No. 81 on Boston College safety Will Harris, while Minnesota subsequently used the incoming selections as ammunition in additional draft-day trades. The Detroit Lions produced the stronger realized return, supporting the Detroit Lions Win verdict.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2019 3rd round pick (81st overall, Will Harris)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2019 3rd round pick (88th overall subsequently traded, Cody Barton )
- pick 2019 6th round pick (204th overall subsequently traded, Travis Homer )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Detroit moved from No. 88 to No. 81 in the third round of the 2019 draft, sending Minnesota pick No. 88 and sixth-rounder No. 204. The Lions used No. 81 on Boston College safety Will Harris, while Minnesota subsequently used the incoming selections as ammunition in additional draft-day trades.
Why the Value Moved
Harris became a regular part of Detroit's secondary and special-teams units over multiple seasons, giving the Lions a real return from the aggressive move up. Minnesota's strategy was different: Rick Spielman repeatedly traded down to multiply selections. The 88th and 204th picks did not stay with the Vikings, but they helped sustain the chain of moves that produced several later choices.
How the Trade Aged
Trade-down chains make evaluation less tidy because the first return can be moved again before a player is selected. Detroit's side is easier to measure: it paid a sixth-rounder to secure a targeted defensive back and received years of service from Harris. Minnesota preserved flexibility, yet the value created by these two particular picks is more diffuse and depends on later transactions rather than one direct standout.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Draft-day trades are best judged by the full path of the selections, not simply the first names attached to the pick numbers. Moving a few slots can create extra chances, but those chances matter only if the club converts them into useful players or additional capital. Here, the later player outcomes make the original choice to move up or down much easier to evaluate in hindsight.
Final Verdict
Detroit gets the win because Will Harris supplied the clearest durable value created by this specific exchange. The Lions earn a B for converting a modest premium into a multiyear contributor; Minnesota gets a C+ for useful draft flexibility that did not produce an equally direct return from the assets received here.