DRAFT DAY TRADES?

With the draft approaching, what trades can we expect? Here are 5 trades that could occur during draft day as players fall and teams react accordingly, trading up to select them. Some teams may be looking for that final important piece, while others stock up capital in order to rebuild their roster.

Steelers trade up for their franchise QB, Panthers gain capital

Steelers Receive:

• Pick 6 (Desmond Ridder/Malik Willis)

• CB CJ Henderson

Panthers Receive:

• Pick 20 (Kenny Pickett/Matt Corral/Sam Howell)

• Pick 52 

• 2023 1st Round Pick

• WR Chase Claypool

The Steelers have less holes to fill than the Panthers, but the Panthers have only two picks in the first four rounds. If the Steelers feel their franchise QB is on the board at 6, likely Ridder or Willis, they should jump quarterback-needy teams and get him. The Panthers are more than a quarterback away from competing, and should look at options to accumulate value by trading down.

Saints trade ahead of division rivals; Giants gain capital

Saints Receive:

• Pick 5 (Desmond Ridder/Malik Willis/Evan Neal/Ikem Ekwonu)

Giants Receive:

• Pick 16

• Pick 18

• CB Marshon Lattimore

The Giants may be looking to trade down from either 5 or 7. Unfortunately for the Saints, they will likely have to give up extra value to trade up to 5, since the Panthers (who draft at 6) have similar draft needs (OT, QB). 

Chiefs trade up for Tyreek Hill replacement; Texans gain capital

Chiefs Receive:

Pick 13 (Jameson Williams)

Texans Receive:

• Pick 30

• Pick 31

If the Chiefs aren’t confident a receiver will fall to them, and Williams falls to 13, a trade up is plausible. The Texans can be a team looking to trade down, gaining 2 more first round picks this year to aid in a full rebuild. 

Falcons trade back into first round for QB; Lions gain capital

Falcons Receive:

• Pick 32 (Matt Corral/Sam Howell)

Lions Receive:

• Pick 43

• LB Deion Jones

If the Falcons pass on a quarterback at pick 8, but still want to pick there, they may not want to risk one falling to them at pick 43. The Lions can add a key player, and the falcons can free some cap space and swap picks upward, enabling the quarterback taken at pick 32 to have an automatic 5th year option.

Packers trade up for top WR; Jets gain capital

Packers Receive:

• Pick 10 (Garrett Wilson)

Jets Receive:

• Pick 22

• Pick 28

The Packers can choose to be proactive in replacing Davante Adams instead of waiting to see who falls to them at pick 22. The Jets, who own the 3rd and 10th pick, can fill more holes by sliding down the draft.