Prediction difficulties kept Lions from scoring and trading Kenny Golladay

Over the past few years, a number of NFL teams have used the franchise tag on players and then traded them to other teams for a bigger return than letting them go as free agents provide. through the Compensatory Draft Selection System.

Before this year’s tags were handed out, there was speculation the Lions could do the same with wide receiver Kenny Golladay. On Monday, managing director Brad Holmes said the way “the market was moving” led them to conclude that this was a bigger risk than they were prepared to take.

“We discussed it and thought about it,” Holmes said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I wasn’t kidding when I said he was at the forefront of my mind throughout the process. But we have discussed these options and there are just some difficulties in terms of forecasting. So that’s kind of why you’ll probably see [moves like that are] more prevalent in the NBA compared to the NFL. “

Holmes said the depth of receivers available in the draft and free agency gives him confidence in building a solid receiving body and he would likely get a third round pick in 2022 to further help build the roster at Detroit.