NFL.com projects 'win-win' Sam LaPorta trade for Detroit Lions

Could the Detroit Lions swing a blockbuster? NFL. com's Eric Edholm put together five "win-win" trades that teams should make in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.

The Lions were at the forefront of Edholm's projected first-round NFL draft trades. Edholm projected a trade where the Lions would send star tight end Sam LaPorta to the Washington Commanders . As part of the trade, the Lions would deal away their first-round pick (No.

17 overall) and one of their two sixth-round picks (No. 205 overall) in exchange for the Commanders' No. 7 overall selection, a 2027 third-round pick and tight end Bin Sinnott.

Here's what Edholm wrote about the proposed trade: First off, I don't think LaPorta will be traded. But it wouldn't totally floor me if he was. LaPorta has been great, and losing him hurts Detroit's offense, but the big picture must be considered: LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is coming off back surgery .