CONFIRMED! New Orleans Saints Make Unexpected Trade With Detroit Lions—Saints Gain Fifth-Round Pick Swap

CONFIRMED! New Orleans Saints Make Unexpected Trade With Detroit Lions—Saints Gain Fifth-Round Pick Swap

*New Orleans, May 25, 2025* — In a surprising turn of events at the NFL’s spring meetings, the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions quietly consummated a draft-day swap that has sent ripples through both front offices. The Saints have acquired an exchange of fifth-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, moving up eight spots in the middle of the board in exchange for a later pick, giving them greater flexibility to target developmental players or package for a future move.

This low-profile deal represents a calculated maneuver for New Orleans, whose brass has made it clear that replenishing depth across multiple position groups is a priority as they prepare for the post-Derek Carr era. Meanwhile, Detroit, flush with draft capital after several recent trades, was willing to accommodate the Saints to accumulate additional late-round assets.

Terms of the Trade

Saints Receive: Detroit’s 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 164 overall)

Lions Receive: New Orleans’ 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 172 overall)

The net result: New Orleans moves from pick No. 172 to pick No. 164 in the fifth round, while Detroit picks up an extra late selection at No. 172 to complement an already generous cache of draft choices.

Why the Saints Made the Move

So why did a franchise known for aggressive big-ticket trades invest effort into swapping fifth-round spots? According to saints.com, general manager Terry Fontenot views the middle rounds of the 2025 class as particularly deep at positions of need—cornerback, interior offensive line, and rotational pass-rusher.

> “When you study the tape and the board, you realize there are quality players still on the board in the 150–170 range,” Fontenot told reporters. “We believe moving up eight spots gives us a chance to grab a potential starter or high-character depth piece before someone else scoops him up.”

Head coach Kellen Moore, who is entering his second year at the helm, echoed that assessment:

> “We’re looking for players who can contribute early,” Moore said. “A pick in the early fifth round can be more valuable than a late fourth when the board is flush with talent in certain areas. This swap fits our long-term plan.”

The Saints also reportedly see the deal as a hedge against injury. With concerns lingering about the durability of key veterans—particularly at linebacker and safety—New Orleans is eager to bolster its roster competition and roster flexibility with young, cost-controlled talent.

Detroit’s Perspective

For the Lions, who under general manager Brad Holmes have aggressively traded away picks to move up for players like quarterback Jared Goff and defensive tackle Aidan Hutchinson, the cost of moving down eight spots in the fifth round was minimal.

> “We’ve been in a position to offer picks to teams who need them, and the Saints had a mutual need,” Holmes explained at the NFL meetings in Minnesota. “That 172nd pick helps us fill out the bottom of our roster and gives us more room for later-round gambles.”

Detroit’s head coach Dan Campbell also sees the benefit of accumulating picks, especially given the potential for late-round steals in this year’s class:

> “When you’ve got the kind of depth we’ll have, you can afford to move around a little bit,” Campbell said. “We’ll use pick No. 172 on a high-upside kid who could surprise us in training camp.”

Context: Saints in the Post-Carr Landscape

The timing of this trade coincides with a period of transition for the Saints. Following Derek Carr’s abrupt retirement due to a shoulder injury, New Orleans has been forced to reorient its quarterback strategy, relying on a mix of Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener to vie for the starting job. With pressing needs at multiple roster spots—and without the certainty of a veteran franchise signal-caller—the Saints are emphasizing flexibility and depth through the draft.

This pick swap underscores that philosophy. By moving up in the fifth round, the Saints hope to secure an “NFL-ready” prospect—perhaps a day-three offensive tackle with starting potential or a special-teams ace who can contribute from Week 1. Those are the types of contributors that coach Moore and his staff value highly, especially in a division as competitive as the NFC South.

Historical Precedent and Draft-Day Implications

The Saints have a history of turning mid-round picks into valuable contributors. Notable examples include wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith (fourth round, 2018) and linebacker Kiko Alonso (second round, 2018), both of whom became meaningful rotational players. That track record gives credence to the idea that a savvy evaluator like Fontenot can identify hidden gems deep into the draft.

Analyst Bucky Brooks of *NFL.com* weighed in on the trade:

> “The Saints are masters at discovering talent late in the draft. Moving up eight spots in the fifth round might not sound like much, but it can make the difference in getting your board’s last coveted prospect.”

Draft-niks across the country have already begun updating their big boards to reflect the new spot—No. 164 overall—and mock draft outlets will be evaluating which prospects are likely to be available at that slot.

What Comes Next

As the league calendar marches toward late July, both teams will continue their preparation. New Orleans will finalize its quarterback competition, refine its free-agent plan, and leverage its newly positioned draft pick to lock in a priority target. Meanwhile, Detroit will use the extra selection at No. 172 to perhaps reach for a developmental player or sweeten a future draft-day deal.

The Saints-Lions trade may have flown under the radar compared to blockbuster deals, but its strategic value is undeniable. In the NFL’s tight margins, a single pick can alter a franchise’s trajectory. For New Orleans, that pick swap represents yet another calculated move in their mission to remain perennial contenders in the NFC.

Whether the player chosen at No. 164 becomes a household name or a special-teams stalwart, the front office will know that—in the chess match of the NFL draft—every square on the board matters.