The Detroit Lions are preparing to make another run at a Super Bowl in 2025. Detroit has been a very active mover in the draft over the past few years. One of the biggest trades last season was the Lions’ move up with the Cowboys, which netted Detroit cornerback Terrion Arnold. That trade will finally reach its conclusion with Detroit’s extra pick in the seventh round.
Original terms of the Terrion Arnold trade
Lions receive: 2024 first-round pick (24, CB Terrion Arnold), 2025 seventh-round pick (228)
Cowboys receive: 2024 first-round pick (29, OT Tyler Guyton), 2024 third-round pick (73, OL Cooper Beebe)
Who did the Lions select with the pick from the Terrion Arnold trade?
The Lions received a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Cowboys as a part of the Terrion Arnold trade. They traded it to the New England Patriots as part of their move up to 171 to take Miles Frazier, the OG from LSU.
Ultimately, the Chiefs picked SMU RB Brashard Smith with the selection.
What did the Cowboys do with the picks from the Terrion Arnold trade?
Dallas received two picks from Detroit, trading back from pick 24 to pick 29 in the 2024 NFL Draft and also adding a third rounder (73). The Cowboys selected two offensive linemen with those picks, taking OT Tyler Guyton at 29 and OL Cooper Beebe at 73.
How was Terrion Arnold’s performance for the Lions?
Terrion Arnold was immediately thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie, playing 76 snaps Week 1. He would go on to start 15 out of 16 games he played in during the 2024 season. Arnold had an up-and-down rookie season, allowing a 61.2% completion rate, nearly 800 yards, and four touchdowns on 98 targets. While Arnold didn’t notch an interception, he did post nine PBUs. He performed well as a run defender and tackler, with an impressive 6.9% missed tackle rate. His best game of the season came against Minnesota in Week 18, where Arnold allowed 0 catches on 4 targets.
Who won the Terrion Arnold trade between the Lions and the Cowboys?
We aren’t likely to know the winner of this trade for at least another season, maybe even two. I don’t think either team can claim an advantage just yet. Terrion Arnold was roughly an average starting cornerback on the whole, but did show encouraging flashes throughout the year and started the entire season. Cornerback is a notoriously difficult position for rookies, and it’s not surprising (or alarming) that Arnold struggled at times.
For the Cowboys, Tyler Guyton was immediately thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie left tackle. That went about as well as you’d expect, with Guyton giving up sacks in four straight games to open the season. Guyton was a lackluster run blocker all year, but did have a few good games in pass protection. He was also one of the most penalized offensive linemen in the league, picking up a whopping 18 during the 2024 season. It was a tough situation for Guyton to be dropped into, but he definitely struggled.
The bigger hit could end up being Cooper Beebe, who the Cowboys drafted with the third-round pick from the trade. Beebe had to step into the starting center job immediately, and actually acquitted himself well. He finished the season looking like a competent starter, which is an impressive feat for a rookie. Beebe was an above-average run blocker and average pass protector, giving up just three sacks and committing only three penalties.
The seventh-round pick that the Lions will make in the 2025 NFL Draft isn’t likely to tip the scales, so it’ll come down to just how good Terrion Arnold becomes over the next year or two. Same goes for Tyler Guyton, in particular. Still, if the Cowboys get two starters out of the deal versus the Lions one…it would seem like Dallas would be the winner. Time will tell!
WINNER: TBD
