The buzz is growing substantially around the 2019 NFL Draft now that we are less than three weeks away from the big event. All of the major sports have a strong marketing strategy in their own rights, but there is nothing like the NFL Draft. The lead up to the three-day event is full of excitement, speculation, and various theories.
Potential trades are one theory, in particular, that gets everyone interested. Up until the very last minute, we will hear buzz and rumors regarding some teams possibly moving out of their respective positions.
This draft class contains a number of defensive playmakers but very few quarterbacks. The quarterback position is typically the one that teams are willing to move up for. The fact that there are not a lot of options there may trigger a team or two to give the green light on a blockbuster deal to move up for their guy. Maybe there is a team willing to trade away someone on their current roster to maneuver their draft position.
The 2019 NFL Draft is set up to where we could see multiple blockbuster deals getting made. Let's take a look at a few potential trades that could occur.
5. New England Gets Their Heir Apparent to Tom Brady
Arizona receives:
First-round pick (32nd overall)
New England receives:
Josh Rosen
The rest of the NFL could set the Guinness world record for the loudest groan if this deal were made. Right now, the Cardinals are trying to give off the impression that they are not in a rush to trade Rosen. They're even saying they would be willing to go into training camp with both Rosen and Kyler Murray, assuming they take him with the number one pick.
It's a nice story, but no one is buying it. Arizona wants a first round pick for Rosen, and the truth is, the Patriots are probably their best shot at getting one. The New York Giants and Washington Redskins also appear to be in on the Rosen sweepstakes. It's hard to see either team, however, parting with a first round pick to get him. The Giants own two first rounders, but even the 17th overall pick sounds like too much for Rosen at this point.
The reality is that if the Cardinals do in fact take Murray at No. 1, then they will have no leverage in any deal for Rosen. Teams will know that they no longer view him as a starting quarterback, and it will drive down his value.
Those pesky Patriots, however, own 12 selections in the upcoming draft. It's possible they may feel that parting with the 32nd overall pick would be worth it. After all, Rosen was taken 10th overall just a year ago, so acquiring a quarterback still on a rookie deal is not bad at all.
Dealing with the Patriots would give the Cardinals the first-round pick they are seeking, even if it is the final selection of the round. Despite that, Arizona would get a fifth-year option on whoever they select. In addition, it would give them back-to-back picks in this scenario as they will choose 33rd overall to begin the second round.
4. Washington Makes An Aggressive Move Up the Board
Washington receives:
First-round pick (8th overall)
Detroit receives:
First-round pick (15th overall)
Second-round pick (46th overall)
Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn said earlier this week that his team is willing to trade down from the 8th pick to acquire more picks. It's possible that they could get more than just an additional second-round pick, but this trade does add up, according to the NFL draft value chart. Teams don't typically go by the chart, but it gives us a good idea as to roughly what each pick is worth.
For Washington, this trade is simple. They move up to get a quarterback. It's possible that someone like Dwayne Haskins starts to fall so they move up to get him. Or maybe they like Drew Lock a lot and move in front of Denver to get him. Miami is also a possibility to make this deal as they are in a similar situation as the Redskins. However, it looks like they're more ready for 2020 to get a quarterback, and probably not willing to give up a second-round pick.
Detroit can make this move, and still probably get a player high on their board. The Lions will likely add a pass rusher with their first-round pick. Even by moving down, it's possible that a player like Rashan Gary, Montez Sweat, or Brian Burns to name a few, would still be available. To move down and still get a player of that caliber would get the Lions war room fired up.
3. John Elway Moves Up for a Quarterback
Denver receives:
First-round pick (5th overall)
Tampa Bay receives:
First-round pick (10th overall)
Second-round pick (41st overall)
John Elway needs himself a quarterback, and he's shown us in the past that he'll do whatever it takes to get him. Also, that he'll do it multiple times until he gets it right. The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco this offseason, but they still need someone for their long-term future.
Drew Lock has been the most popular mocked player to Denver. We were told early on that Elway loves him. But what if the Giants love him too? Or what if who the Broncos really love is Haskins? With the way this league views quarterbacks, sitting tight at pick 10 is not a guarantee that a quarterback is going to land in their laps.
On the other side, Tampa Bay needs a massive amount of help on defense. They can get a great player at No. 5, but they could still land a great player at 10 as well. It could even be the player they wanted at five. For Tampa Bay, it's more about picking the right player.
Last year, they made a move to trade down in a deal with Buffalo that netted them a couple of extra second rounders. Even after trading down, they still had their chance to draft Derwin James. Instead, they took Vita Vea. It's very possible that the opportunity to move down will be there again for the Bucs, but they need to hit right with these picks to avoid continuously picking within the top 10.
2. The New York Teams Team Up for a Blockbuster
N.Y. Giants receive:
First-round pick (3rd overall)
N.Y. Jets receive:
First-round picks (6th and 17th overall)
This one just seems inevitable to happen. Last year, the Jets moved up from sixth to third, so it makes sense to do the opposite this year. It makes even more sense to do it with your stadium brothers, who happen to possess two first-round picks.
Going by the value chart, the Giants get eviscerated in this deal. As mentioned though, teams rarely go by it. And if there happens to be a quarterback that Dave Gettleman is in love with, then it's very possible they'll need to move up to get him.
As of right now, the Giants are doing their best to show a disinterest in Haskins. While it is possible that they simply don't like him, it's also possible that they are giving off that perception to drive down his stock. The Giants would love nothing more than the guy they want to fall to them at six. Many people still believe that guy to be Haskins.
Another reason the Giants could make this deal that hasn't been talked about would be for someone like Quinnen Williams. If the Cardinals do indeed draft Murray, the San Francisco 49ers are almost assuredly going to draft Nick Bosa at No. 2.
Despite possibly being the best player in this class, the Jets don't need another interior defensive lineman. So the trade for both teams would still make a ton of sense. The Jets are aggressively looking to move out of the third spot. They probably couldn't get a better offer than what the Giants could give them.
1. Jon Gruden Moves Up To Get His Man
Oakland receives:
First-round pick (1st overall)
Arizona receives:
First-round picks (4th and 24th overall)
Second-round pick (35th overall)
It's very possible that Roger Goodell could announce the ultimate blockbuster trade right out of the gate. Jon Gruden has done a poor job of showing his love for Kyler Murray. With three first-round picks, the Raiders clearly have the assets to move up and secure him if they choose.
In addition, Murray and Antonio Brown already have some familiarity with each other after working out together earlier this offseason. The Raiders don't ever seem to be too shy about making a splash. This could be their biggest one yet.
As for the Cardinals, this move would make a lot of sense. As we saw from last season, Arizona has a ton of needs. One that they really don't need, however, is a quarterback. While it seems like Murray is the consensus No. 1 to go to the Cardinals at this point, they already have a quarterback in Rosen. Giving up on him after one season in which you moved up to get him doesn't come across as a wise business decision. He was thrown into a terrible position. At the very least, he deserves one more opportunity under a new regime.
The picks that the Cardinals would acquire in this deal would help drastically. By moving down to fourth, it's possible that Williams is still on the board. If so, it's an easy decision. If not, a player like Josh Allen or Devin White is not a bad consolation by any means. After that, they would then have three picks between picks 24-35. They could easily use those to package should they choose or help fill out the roster on the offensive line or secondary.
There are a number of directions Arizona could go there. Drafting an athletic player like Murray might seem like the more exciting selection, but moving down to acquire more picks would be more beneficial in the long-term success of this team.
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