DETROIT – As the Detroit Lions square off with Matthew Stafford in the first round of the playoffs, it feels like everything has come full circle since that massive trade.
It was basically Brad Holmes’ first move after being hired as general manager. He inherited a former No. 1 overall pick who had spent the past 12 years as the face of the franchise.
And he shipped him right off to Los Angeles.
Obviously, the deal worked out for both sides. The Rams got a Super Bowl, so they’ll always be the winners of this trade. But the Lions got a jump start on a complete roster rebuild, and Holmes made most of those picks count.
Let’s take a look at the specific details of the trade, now that all the dust has settled.
Trade details
The terms of the Stafford trade were very simple. The Rams received Stafford and the Lions received three draft picks and a quarterback of their own.
- Quarterback Jared Goff.
- 2021 third-round pick.
- 2022 first-round pick.
- 2023 first-round pick.
That third-round pick ended up as No. 101 overall, and the 2022 first-rounder was a worst-case scenario at No. 32. But the Lions got a break in 2023, when injuries caused the Rams to end up with the No. 6 overall selection.
Which players did Lions draft?
Holmes got a ton of draft flexibility in this deal, and he wasn’t afraid to use it.
He spent the third-round pick on Ifeatu Melifonwu in 2021, and Melifonwu has turned into an extremely valuable member of the secondary. He picked off a pass against the Vikings to help the Lions clinch the division title and also intercepted Dak Prescott in Dallas.
The rest of the Stafford compensation is less clear-cut.
Holmes traded the No. 32 overall pick in 2022 as part of a package that allowed him to move up and draft Jameson Williams at No. 12.
The Lions sent the No. 32, No. 34, and No. 66 overall picks to Minnesota for No. 12 and No. 46. They used No. 12 to draft Williams, and No. 46 to select Josh Paschal.
Williams has started to come around late this season after missing most of his first year and a half due to injury and suspension. In his final three games of the regular season (he missed the finale against the Vikings), Williams caught 11 passes for 159 yards.
Goff has started to trust Williams in big moments, and more often than not, Williams comes through. Has he been worth a first-round pick? Not yet. But he’s a valuable part of the offense.
Paschal is still working to carve out a role. He appeared in 12 games this season, making 17 solo tackles, 25 total tackles, and one sack. Injuries have definitely limited Paschal, but when he plays, he shows some positive signs.
Holmes also traded away the Rams’ first-round pick in 2023, which was No. 6 overall. He sent that pick and No. 81 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for No. 12, No. 34, and No. 168.
His selection at No. 12 was a slam dunk: running back Jahmyr Gibbs. In his rookie season, Gibbs rushed for 945 yards, caught 52 passes for 316 yards, and scored 11 total touchdowns. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 6.1 yards per catch.
The pick at No. 34 might have been even better. Holmes took Sam LaPorta, who finished his rookie season with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 scores. He’s already one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Detroit traded the 168th pick alongside No. 122 and No. 139 to move up to No. 96 and draft Brodric Martin. He was inactive most of the season and only appeared in three games.
Full trade details
So to truly appreciate the Matthew Stafford trade in its entirety, you have to view it like this:
Detroit Lions received:
- Jared Goff.
- Jahmyr Gibbs.
- Sam LaPorta
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Jameson Williams.
- Joshua Pascal.
- Brodric Martin.
Detroit Lions traded:
- Matthew Stafford.
- No. 34 overall pick in 2022 (to Vikings).
- No. 66 overall pick in 2022 (to Vikings).
- No. 81 overall pick in 2023 (to Cardinals).
- No. 122 overall pick in 2023 (to Cardinals).
- No. 139 overall pick in 2023 (to Cardinals).
