Which teams could trade up in the 2017 NFL Draft?
The 2017 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, and fans everywhere are excited. Free agency has been dead for a while, so the draft is the last big event before the season starts. Some teams have more needs than they had before free agency, while other teams are just a player or two away from contending. Some teams that fall under the latter category will look to trade up to gain a coveted prospect. However, there will likely be a few lower-tier teams that will look to trade up, as well.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers love Leonard Fournette. However, the LSU running back may not be available when they pick at No. 8. Because of that, it would be anything but surprising to see them trade up for him.
The Panthers’ biggest competitor for Fournette’s services will likely be the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the Jags could use a trade back. At the No. 8 spot, they could add someone like Alabama tight end O.J. Howard and gain another valuable pick. According to the handy-dandy NFL Draft trade value chart, they could gain Carolina’s second-round pick by trading back four spots in the first round.
This may be bold for Carolina, but they have another second-round pick. By trading up, they could secure the running back of their dreams and still be able to gain a talented player in the second round.
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Chicago Bears
I’m not suggesting that the Chicago Bears trade up from the No. 3 spot. If anything, they’ll be more likely to trade down from there than trade up. Rather, I’m talking about using their second-round pick to gain a late first-round pick.
Despite signing Mike Glennon, the Bears still need help at quarterback. Picking one with their first pick would be a massive reach, but it’s unlikely that any of the consensus top four quarterbacks will be available for them in Round 2. By trading up, they could jump past teams like the 49ers, Chiefs and (possibly) the Browns – teams that could all pick quarterbacks in between the 26-34 draft spots.
If the Bears were to trade up, the Seattle Seahawks would be a good trade partner. Chicago could throw in one of their two fourth-rounders and another future mid-round pick to trade up to No. 26. The Bears could add a quarterback like DeShone Kizer or Patrick Mahomes, while Seattle would get more picks to revamp their offensive line and secondary. It’s really a win-win for both sides.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots seemingly have it all. They have a dangerous offense led by arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. They also have a very talented defense that added two great players in Stephon Gilmore and Kony Ealy this offseason. So why would they need to make any moves in the draft? Two words: Jimmy Garoppolo.
It’s highly unlikely that Tom Brady will retire before Garoppolo’s rookie contract expires. Instead of paying the Eastern Illinois alum a boatload of cash or losing him in free agency and getting nothing in return, the Patriots should trade him and get a massive haul for it. That way, they can avoid overpaying a player with very little in-game experience and get a lot of picks in return.
Plenty of teams could use Garoppolo. At this point, the two teams that are most likely to target him are the Browns and the 49ers. However, the recent retirement of Tony Romo could make the Texans interested, as well. Let’s say the Texans give up the No. 25 overall pick, a third-round pick next year and a fourth-rounder this year for Garoppolo. They’d gain a quarterback with much more upside than anyone on their roster at the moment. The Patriots would gain a first-round pick and would walk away looking like geniuses yet again.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns may not trade up once this year’s NFL Draft rolls around. However, if any team has the ammunition to pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal, it’s them.
Over the next two years, they will have three first-rounders, five (!!!) second-rounders, and two third-rounders, among others. If they felt the need to trade up, they could easily do it. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is unlikely to be available when Cleveland picks at No. 12. If they truly want to snag the consensus top quarterback in this class, they’ll have to trade up to do it.
The New York Jets’ roster is slowly falling apart. They have very few weapons for whomever their quarterback will be next year, their offensive line isn’t all that great and their secondary is the worst it’s been in a long time. By trading back to No. 12, they could still have a high first-round pick and snag a second-rounder in the process. The Browns would exit the 2017 NFL Draft with the two best prospects at their respective positions, and the Jets would take a big step toward a desperately-needed rebuild.
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