Detroit sent picks 32, 34 and 66 to Minnesota for Nos. 12 and…
Detroit sent picks 32, 34 and 66 to Minnesota for Nos. 12 and 46, selecting Jameson Williams and Josh Paschal. Williams has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in consecutive seasons and signed an extension through 2029; Paschal has supplied defensive-line depth. Minnesota drafted Lewis Cine and Brian Asamoah and later moved No. 34 through additional trades. Cine was waived after two seasons, and the Vikings never found comparable value. Detroit won decisively.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2022 1st round pick (12th overall, Jameson Williams)
- pick 2022 2nd round pick (46th overall, Josh Paschal)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2022 1st round pick (32nd overall, Lewis Cine ), 2022 2nd round pick (34th overall subsequently traded, Christian Watson ) and 2022 3rd round pick (66th overall, Brian Asamoah)
Trade Analysis
Minnesota's first move under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah became one of the most debated trades of the 2022 draft. The Vikings sent picks 12 and 46 to division rival Detroit for Nos. 32, 34 and 66. Detroit moved aggressively for Alabama receiver Jameson Williams at No. 12 and used No. 46 on defensive lineman Josh Paschal. Minnesota took safety Lewis Cine at No. 32, later traded No. 34 to Green Bay and selected linebacker Brian Asamoah at No. 66.
Williams' delayed rookie season after knee surgery made the trade difficult to judge immediately. His development since then has made the Detroit side much clearer. He caught 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, then followed with 65 receptions for 1,117 yards and seven scores in 2025. Detroit signed him to an extension through the 2029 season, confirming his place as a long-term explosive target. Paschal has also remained a useful defensive-line contributor.
Minnesota's direct results were far weaker. Cine suffered a serious leg injury as a rookie, never established a starting role and was waived before the 2024 season. Asamoah became primarily a reserve and special-teams player rather than a defensive centerpiece. Pick No. 34 created further movement: Minnesota sent it to Green Bay for Nos. 53 and 59, eventually selecting Ed Ingram at 59 and using 53 with other assets to move for Andrew Booth Jr. That downstream branch created some starting snaps but no player matching Williams.
The important distinction is that Christian Watson should not be counted as a Vikings return simply because Green Bay selected him at No. 34. Minnesota chose to trade the selection again.
Detroit's existing B+ should rise to A. Minnesota's F remains justified. The Lions acquired a consecutive 1,000-yard receiver and another useful lineman, while Minnesota's complicated return failed to produce a comparable long-term cornerstone.