NFL Draft 2022 Rumors: Multiple Teams in Top Half Are Trying to Trade Back in Round 1

Several NFL teams are reportedly looking to trade back in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported "the interest in moving back in Thursday's draft has greatly exceeded the interest in moving up" in the days leading up to the draft.

Eleven first-round picks have already changed hands via trades, and more activity is expected Thursday night.

The lack of elite quarterback talent, along with the strong depth of this class, likely plays a large part in the willingness of teams to trade back (and the lack of verve in trying to move up).

Liberty's Malik Willis, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett and Ole Miss' Matt Corral are considered the top three quarterbacks in this class, but none are can't-miss prospects. While it's possible a team trades up Thursday night to select one of those players, we're likely not looking at a repeat of the 2021 draft, which saw the San Francisco 49ers trade three first-round picks to select Trey Lance.

A lack of urgency to trade up in the draft could lead some teams to take less than usual as part of a deal to move up. Teams generally use the same trade charts to value draft picks; this supply-and-demand issue could allow an eager team to get a higher pick for 80 or 90 percent of the typical cost.

As it stands, we'll likely have to wait until Thursday night to see a flurry of moves. Players will drop, teams will react and fans will get the wild unpredictability that they crave.