5 NFL Teams with Top-10 Picks That Should Consider Trading Down
NFL teams can maneuver the draft order to add an influx of rookie talent. Typically, rebuilding clubs take this approach by moving down to acquire more draft capital or offering a player in exchange for a premium pick.
As is the case every year, teams atop the draft order with a starting signal-caller in place will receive calls from quarterback-needy clubs that want to move up.
Recently, the Minnesota Vikings acquired a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) from the Houston Texans. They could offer selections picks 11 and 23 in a trade to acquire a top-five pick with their sights on a top quarterback prospect.
Minnesota needs a long-term replacement for quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
Which teams could be interested in acquiring more draft picks and swapping spots with the Vikings or any other team that may want to move up?
Let's wade through the draft smokescreens to discuss legitimate trade-down candidates.
Arizona Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon hasn't wavered in his support for quarterback Kyler Murray. However, Arizona must upgrade the talent around him.
The Cardinals need wide receivers and help across the offensive line, specifically on the interior. They should also add a pass-rusher after finishing with the second-lowest pressure rate (17.1) in 2023.
Last year, in general manager Monti Ossenfort's first offseason with the team, the Cardinals moved down from No. 3 to the 12th spot and then moved back up to No. 6 to take offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
During a news conference, Ossenfort said the Cardinals will be "listening" to offers for the No. 4 pick, which potentially opens up an opportunity for the Vikings or any other team to make a move.
The Cardinals would likely miss out on wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. if they move back.
On the flip side, if Arizona acquires the Minnesota Vikings' two 2024 first-rounders, the club would have three first-round picks (Nos. 11, 23 and 27) to address multiple priority needs on Day 1 of the draft.
Los Angeles Chargers
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The Los Angeles Chargers will enter the draft as a mystery team with a new regime led by general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Because the Chargers have a first-time general manager, a head coach who hasn't worked on the pro level in about a decade and a starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, they're arguably the biggest X-factor team with a top-five selection.
Los Angeles has a glaring need at wide receiver after it cut Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen. Harbaugh has talked about the importance of building a strong offensive line.
The Chargers may want to strengthen the interior of their defensive line as well. They've ranked 17th or worse against the run every year since 2019.
In the fifth spot, Los Angeles can take the best receiver or offensive lineman available. In an alternative approach, it can move back in the first round and acquire an additional top-50 pick and perhaps an early-round selection in 2025.
As the Chargers' new administration reshapes the roster, it could make the No. 5 pick available in exchange for more premium draft capital to add an influx of rookie talent to a veteran-laden roster.
New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots may have a simple draft plan for their first selection at the No. 3 spot: take the best quarterback available.
At 31 years old, Jacoby Brissett isn't the Patriots' franchise signal-caller, but the team may be comfortable with him in the short term as it fills out the roster.
Furthermore, director of scouting and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf may not love his quarterback options in the third spot if he has his eyes on one or two particular prospects. If so, he could choose to move down.
With swirling rumors around the New York Giants and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (h/t SNY's Connor Hughes), we could see a trade between New England and Big Blue, which would leave the door open for the Patriots to acquire draft capital and still take Drake Maye with the sixth pick.
During the NFL's annual owners meetings, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said: "Obviously, quarterback is definitely a priority. With that being said, we're still open to any type of deals that come our way."
New England can make a deal and address its most important need.
In that scenario, the Patriots would deserve rave reviews for their ability to accumulate picks and still draft a blue-chip quarterback prospect. In addition to a top signal-caller, they can bolster key positions at left tackle, wide receiver and edge-rusher within the first three rounds of the draft.
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New York Giants
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In recent weeks, the NFL rumor mill has linked the New York Giants to J.J. McCarthy, whose buzz has grown significantly since he helped lead the Michigan Wolverines to a national title victory.
According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the Giants sent team officials to Michigan for a private workout with McCarthy on Sunday.
Even if the Giants see McCarthy as a potential successor for Daniel Jones, he may not be available at No. 6.
Moreover, Big Blue should try to fill multiple needs on the offensive side of the ball rather than sacrifice draft capital to move up for McCarthy.
The Giants need a top-flight wide receiver and a promising young offensive lineman to compensate for Evan Neal's lack of development. They may even consider a tight end as Darren Waller contemplates retirement.
Though Jones (knee) may not be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming season and team owner John Mara told reporters he won't stop general manager Joe Schoen from drafting a quarterback, the Giants don't have much offensively after losing running back Saquon Barkley in free agency.
Jones and McCarthy wouldn't have enough around them if New York traded draft capital for the latter.
Also, note that Big Blue has six draft selections, and it may need more to overhaul the roster.
The Giants should trade down and pick up picks to bolster their offense rather than chase a rookie quarterback who will need a strong supporting cast. Perhaps On Day 2 of the draft, they can take a signal-caller to develop behind Jones and Drew Lock.
Tennessee Titans
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The Tennessee Titans took an aggressive approach in free agency, signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard and acquiring cornerback L'Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Based on their offseason moves, the Titans have operated like a team that wants to win now with second-year quarterback Will Levis. Yes, they signed veteran signal-caller Mason Rudolph, but he's started in just 13 games in six seasons.
For now, Levis seems like the starting quarterback in Tennessee, and the front office could look to add rookies who can make an immediate impact to help its young quarterback in 2024.
Keep in mind that the Titans don't have a pick between 38 and 106 because they traded their 2024 third-round selection to the Arizona Cardinals in a deal to move up in the second round for Levis in last year's draft.
Tennessee can move down from the seventh spot to acquire picks and fill that gap between its second- and fourth-round selections and get a top-50 2025 draft pick to boot.
The Titans signed center Lloyd Cushenberry III and guard Saahdiq Charles, but they desperately need upgrades at both tackle positions and another inside linebacker.
With a strong group of offensive tackles in the 2024 draft, the Titans can double-dip early at the position and still address other needs in the first few rounds with more selections.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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