NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Detroit Lions will have to forfeit their seventh-round pick in the 2011 Draft for violating the league's anti-tampering policy, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Friday.
Detroit was cited for publicly commenting about its desire to acquire players under contract to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Goodell ruled as part of the sanction the Chiefs and Lions will switch fifth-round picks in the April 28-30 draft in New York. As a result, Kansas City now owns the ninth pick in that round and Detroit the 23rd.
The violations occurred last year and involve comments made by Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, according to a report on the NFL's official website (www.nfl.com).
(Writing by Steve Ginsburg; Editing by Frank Pingue)
