The NFL Draft is filled with excitement. Former college athletes get the opportunity to live out their dreams. Fans of the game get thrilled hearing the potential next big star join their favorite team. Fantasy football players are finally allowed to have some rest after analyzing for months which player will land in a dream scenario to produce for their fantasy teams. But one of the most exciting things is hearing a trade happen on draft day! Teams make moves to acquire the guy they want. Here are four teams that I have my eye on that could possibly make those draft day trades.
Houston Texans – Pick 1.02
It is possible the Houston Texans want to pass on one of the top Quarterbacks of this draft. Of course, they would never say that publicly because they know the value the second overall pick holds. I do not believe they would want to move too far back in the draft. If a trade were to happen, I would assume they would stay in the top ten picks. A couple teams I can see making that move are:
A. Indianapolis Colts – Pick 1.04 – If the Colts made the jump, it would cost more than just the fourth overall pick, but they are one team that desperately needs a Quarterback. One can argue Houston does too, but honestly Davis Mills is not that bad. Not great, but not bad. Making this jump would secure one of the top two Quarterbacks (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud) of this draft, or three if you count Will Levis. In doing so, Houston could still take a Quarterback at four for approximately $7 million less than what they would cost at pick number two. Or Houston could take the one of the top defenders of this draft. Assuming the Arizona Cardinals stay put at three and take Outside Linebacker Will Anderson. The Texans would have the option of Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter or Edge Rusher Tyree Wilson. Both players would be solid impact players for what should be a new look Houston Texans defense.
B. Atlanta Falcons – Pick 1.08 – Now I am not completely sold on this idea because I do believe second year Quarterback Desmond Ridder can lead the team. However, I would take Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, or Anthony Richardson over Desmond Ridder. The question here would be if the Falcons would be willing to pay the price to make a six-spot jump to secure a top Quarterback of this draft. If the Falcons do not make this jump, they sit happily at eight grabbing one of the Edge Rushers in Tyree Wilson or Myles Murphy. If they do make this trade then I could see the Texans going with either one of the Edge Rushers or the best Offensive Tackle on the board Paris Johnson Jr.
Tennessee Titans – Pick 1.11
Right now I am all over the place not really knowing what the Titans will do. Until recently I had them staying at pick eleven and grabbing an offensive lineman. Now I have considered them taking either Quarterback Will Levis, or even Running Back Bijan Robinson. So, let’s entertain both ideas with trade scenarios with these teams.
A. Las Vegas Raiders – Pick 1.07 – If they made a move to the seventh overall pick I would assume it would be to get the last Quarterback out of the arguable top four of this class. To me that would mean it is either Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. Yes, the Titans did draft Malik Willis last year, but like Ridder I would choose these Quarterbacks over last year’s class. Making the jump for either Levis or Richardson would give each Quarterback time to learn behind now starter Ryan Tannehill for at the very least half of the season.
B. Atlanta Falcons – Pick 1.08 – If they moved up to the eighth overall pick it would be to secure star Running Back Bijan Robinson. The Chicago Bears (Pick 1.09) and Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 1.10) have been linked to potential landing spots for the star back, so making this move would be important if the Titans decided to move on from Derrick Henry. Rumors did start to circulate about potentially trading Derrick Henry to the Eagles, and maybe that would involve the Eagles late first round pick (Pick 1.31). Then in return the Titans trade both first to the Falcons for pick 1.08 and maybe the Falcons second round pick which would be the thirteenth of that round. When it is all said and done the Titans will need to be aggressive if they think the Bears might take Bijan, and they do not want to lose a beat in their run game if they trade Henry.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Pick 1.17
This defensive class is deep. Meaning there will be players in the later rounds that will still have high value to make impacts on their new teams. But one player I think could help the Steelers on day one is Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Yes, son of former Steelers Linebacker Joey Porter. That plays relevance in why they make a move up to acquire him. There are two teams I think can draft Porter Jr. before the Steelers get on the clock at pick seventeen. The New England Patriots (Pick 1.14) need help in their secondary. The Washington Commanders (Pick 1.16) also need help in their secondary. So, here are some potential trade partners to get their guy.
A. Houston Texans – Pick 1.12 – I expect the Texans to take the best Wide Receiver (Jaxson Smith-Njigba) off the board with this pick. But I do not think any team from pick thirteen to sixteen goes after a Wide Receiver. So, trading up to pick twelve would get the Steelers in front of the Patriots, and it would allow the Texans to potentially get the top Wide Receiver for approximately $2 million less than at pick twelve.
B. New York Jets – Pick 1.15 – Let’s say the Patriots do not draft Joey Porter Jr. so he is still on the board. The Commanders do need help with their secondary and if Porter Jr. is there, he might be best available. The Steelers end up swapping first round picks with the Jets. The trade would also involve a swap in later round picks maybe a third for a fourth or something.
New York Giants – Pick 1.25
The Giants like the Texans are one team I think desperately needs to add to their Wide Receiver room at all cost. Sure, they brought in some guys, but nobody screams alpha Wide Receiver to me. Daniel Jones needs an ALPHA! I think it is possible we see a Wide Receiver run starting with the Chargers (Pick 1.21). The Baltimore Ravens (Pick 1.22) and the Minnesota Vikings (Pick 1.23) could both add Wide Receivers too. If that seems likely come the time of the draft look out for the Giants to make a move to:
A. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Pick 1.19 – Tampa Bay is a team I do not have targeting a Wide Receiver in the first round. Instead, I think it is possible they go with an Edge Rusher like B.J. Ojulari or Lukas Van Ness. If the Giants can put together a nice package maybe add a third-round pick to get a fourth back then Tampa Bay may take the trade.
B. Seattle Seahawks – Pick 1.20 – The Seahawks I assume go defense with their first pick at 1.05. Possibly drafting Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter. With their second pick in the first round, they could either go Quarterback Hendon Hooker, a Quarterback that has gained first round buzz the past few weeks. They could also go offensive line. Offensive Guard O’Cyrus Torrence should be available at that pick. The benefit for them here is both those players are likely to be at Giants pick too, pick 1.25. So, if the Giants offer a fair enough package to get one of the Wide Receivers in the tier after Smith-Njigba the Seahawks could move back. The Giants to me should target big threat Quentin Johnston, or Jalin Hyatt to take the top off the defenses.
The NFL Draft will be filled with excitement. I do expect trades in the first round, and possibly some of these teams I talked about make those moves.
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