Everyone loves themselves some trade speculation. For sports fans, we need it like we need water, like we need oxygen, the whole lot. This list is all about speculation, and based off of discussions that I have had with sources over the last few weeks. Discussions are taking place at this moment, and trades could occur at any moment.
When taking into account who is “most likely” to make a move, this is not a guarantee that these trades happen. Again, nothing is set until a team is on the clock Thursday night. Anything can, and will, happen in the lead up to this draft. We are closing in. We are almost there.
Five.
Up: Carolina Panthers
Let’s start with the most obvious selection on this list. It is no secret that the Panthers have a strong desire to move up to get a crack at one of the quarterbacks. Sources tell me the Panthers have had “numerous” discussions with teams in the top 5 to move up a few spots from 6 to get their hands on their next franchise quarterback.
HC Matt Rhule is coaching for his job this season, and it is imperative he gets his guy to handle the reins of the Carolina Panthers offense this season. Sources continue to say it is a 50/50 call between Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis, with sources going as far as to say it may not be 100% decided until Thursday.
Whomever joins the Panthers should expect to be given every opportunity to win the starting job right off the jump. Sam Darnold will also be vying for the post, but with his inconsistent play a year ago it seems that any rookie will be given a legitimate shot to win the job and start week 1.
Down: New York Giants
The Giants have two selections in round 1, at picks 5 and 7. With so many holes needed to be filled for this Giants team, a trade down seems to make the most sense for new Giants GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll.
The Giants need to acquire as much draft capital as possible for this season, and potentially next. Getting an additional first round pick either this year or next year could be very appealing to a team that is in full-rebuild mode. Any team interested in quarterbacks that want to jump the Panthers if they stay put at 6 should be on the phone with the Giants for the 5th overall pick.
If the Giants don’t like their options after 5 when they get onto the clock at 7, that could also be a prime trade-out spot as well. If only one quarterback goes inside the top 6, this could play great into the Giants’ hands as teams with need at the quarterback position in the teens could look to make the move up to 7 and get their guy.
Up: New Orleans Saints
The Saints have made one draft trade already in this pre-draft season, and could stand to make another closer to the draft. Sources tell me the Saints have had discussions with teams in the top 10 to move up, but for what is a mystery.
While the Saints have a need at quarterback, that may not be the avenue they are zeroing in on. The Saints could also be looking at one of the offensive lineman, either Ickey Ekwonu or Evan Neal to replace Terron Armstead who signed for the Dolphins in free agency.
The Saints seem very content with starting Jameis Winston for 2022, but any trade up would surely have to be for one of the signal callers. Especially after the Saints traded away a 2023 first round pick to Philadelphia, it would be wilder if the Saints were to trade up for anything other than a quarterback.
Up: Kansas City Chiefs
We have seen the Kansas City Chiefs make huge jumps in the draft before, and this could be a time when they do it again. The Chiefs have a load of draft picks at their disposal following the Tyreek Hill trade, and have a ton of holes to fill. This is the ultimate quality vs. quantity debate.
The Chiefs could look to package both first round picks at 29 and 30 to move up over the Packers to take a wide receiver, sources tell me. The Chiefs also have needs all over their defense, and could move up if a “marquee” defensive talent were to take a bit of a tumble.
While the Chiefs have replaced Hill with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Juju Smith-Schuster, will that really be enough to maintain their dominance in the AFC? My gut says no, and that could be the thinking of those in Kansas City as well. Oh, and you want to surround your star quarterback with star players. This could be an instance of surrounding your guy with even more talent.
Down: New England Patriots
Stop me if you have heard this one before. The Patriots trading down in round 1 to get more draft capital to redistribute to the rest of the team. It is just what Bill Belichick does, he plays chess while we all play checkers.
Sitting at 21, the Patriots are in a bit of a tricky spot. They have needs, but are in that part of the draft where a true game-changer may not be there for them. Mainly, getting Mac Jones an out-and-out number one receiver, which seemingly every team in the AFC has done this offseason except for New England.
Sources tell me the Patriots will not decide anything until they are on the clock at 21, which makes sense. Someone that fills a need could fall to them, and the Pats will pounce. It is just what the Patriots do.
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