The Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins have all already made some big moves to trade up in the 2021 NFL Draft, but we will certainly see more once the actual draft begins. Here are five NFL trade predictions that I think we could potentially see in the first round. 

Bears Trade Three Firsts to move up to Four in the 2021 NFL Draft

With Mac Jones looking more and more likely to be the pick at number three, the Atlanta Falcons could be in a prime position to accept a trade back with a more quarterback-hungry team. I don’t think any team is more desperate for a QB than the Chicago Bears

The Bears already tried to throw the house at the Seattle Seahawks for Russell Wilson, but they wouldn’t bite. Chicago is dying to make a big move at QB, and Trey Lance and/or Justin Fields potentially falling would make it very tempting for them to move up. 

What would it take for the Bears to move up into the top five? We can look for the 2016 NFL Draft for an estimation. The Rams traded up from number 15 to number one. They gave up their first, two seconds, and their third-round pick of that draft, plus a future first and third. In 2012, the Washington Redskins traded three first-rounders and a second to move up from 14 to two. 

So it would probably take about three first-round picks for the Bears to move all the way up to four in the 2021 NFL Draft and get their hypothetical choice between Lance and Fields. 

Vikings trade up with the Panthers for a lineman

The Minnesota Vikings are always big fans of trading back, but I think if Rashawn Slater or Penei Sewell are there at eight, they might be willing and able to move up. It’s been rumored that the Carolina Panthers are looking to trade back after sending some picks to the Jets for Sam Darnold. Moving back to pick 14 still puts them in range for a great player and could probably get them about what they gave up for Darnold.

The Vikings allowed the highest pressure rate in the league last season, and Slater and Sewell are clearly the cream of the 2021 NFL Draft's offensive line crop. The Vikings have a relatively complete roster for how high they’re picking. They can afford to give up some capital to grab Slater or Sewell.

Chargers also trade up for a lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft

The Chargers have aggressively pursued offensive linemen all offseason, but the left tackle spot is still a big hole to fill. An early run on quarterbacks could push Sewell and Slater down the board. That would present a perfect opportunity for the Chargers to move up and fill that last spot. NFL insider Benjamin Albright hinted that this may be a possibility, and his draft info has been reliably accurate. 

This might not matter at all, but their new head coach Brandon Staley comes from a Rams organization that gave away draft picks like they were toxic. I don’t know how involved he would be in the trade-up process, but anyone from that Rams organization would probably have no fear of giving away assets for more of a sure thing. 

Packers trade up for Rashod Bateman

The Packers were very close to trading for Will Fuller last year but didn’t end up pulling the trigger. The Packers have been very willing to move up the board for their guy. They did it with Darnell Savage, they did it with Jaire Alexander, and they did it with Jordan Love. With no shortage of picks and many glaring needs, I expect the Packers to aggressively pursue the guy they want. I expect them to be interested in adding a wide receiver considering they wanted Fuller. 

When I see Bateman play, I see a lot of Davante Adams in his game. Except he’s shorter than Davante, so Keenan Allen might be a better comparison. Davante Adams is always talking about how he and Keenan Allen would be unstoppable on the same team. I’m sure it’s something he’s at least mentioned to the coaching staff. I wonder if the Packers would be tempted to try and make something along those lines an actual reality. Two well-rounded route running technicians for Rodgers to throw to… doesn’t get scarier than that. 

Dolphins move up from 18 to take Devonta Smith 

The Dolphins front office has been moving all around the board and has stockpiled a ridiculous number of picks over the next couple of years. I don’t expect the Dolphins to select a wideout at number six in the 2021 NFL Draft. If they really had a high grade on Ja'Marr Chase Chase or Kyle Pitts, they would have stayed at three. No, I think they traded up for either Parsons or Sewell or Slater.

That being said, if the Heisman winner fell in the draft, I expect that they’d be interested in pairing him up with Tua Tagovailoa. Miami desperately needs a wide receiver who can reliably get separation. I expect the Dolphins want to get ahead of the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals. Maybe they can make two trades with the Philadelphia Eagles in one draft?