2012 NFL Draft: Latest Buzz on Potential Draft Day Trades

Just like every NFL draft, trades will happen during the event, and it only adds to the extreme amount of excitement that embodies April's final weekend.

Let's take a look at some trade buzz going around ahead of the 2012 NFL Draft.


Washington Redskins

After moving up to the No. 2 spot, the Washington Redskins don't have another draft pick until No. 69 overall in Round 3. Adding another late-round selection makes sense because a team can never have too many draft picks, especially if they already gave away the house.

And according to Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980, receiver Jabar Gaffney is available:

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As just heard on @ESPNRadio980, Jabar Gaffney has told me that he was told #Redskins are trying to trade him."They are trying to trade me."

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"— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) April 18, 2012"

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Considering that Washington has already upgraded the receiving corps with Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, this comes as no surprise. The good news is that Gaffney enjoyed his best season in 2011 with 947 yards on 68 catches and five touchdowns (all career highs).

So any team needing a veteran No. 2 receiver must look at Gaffney because he has proved to be quite reliable in the past three seasons.

Washington could get a fifth-rounder for him, but that would be surprising since he's also 31 years old.


Philadelphia Eagles

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Eagles remain open to trading cornerback Asante Samuel:

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The Philadelphia Eagles have been shopping former Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel around the league before next week's draft, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

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At 31-years-old, Samuel is slated to make over $9 million this season, so it's obvious the Eagles want to avoid that chunk of dough—especially with both Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the team.

Finding that partner on draft day won't be difficult either. Samuel is one of the best corners of his era and has recorded 45 picks, defended 139 passes and almost 90 percent of his tackles were solo.

Getting a late third-round pick for Samuel is likely the best of scenarios because a franchise will not want to give up a lot for a guy that has played just one full season the last four years. Nevertheless, Samuel still possesses excellent playmaking skills to upgrade a pass defense.


Jacksonville Jaguars

Potentially one of the more likely trades, the Jacksonville Jaguars are open the doors to the No. 7 overall selection. According to Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union, trading down appears to be the Jags main option:

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Unless they’ve already put together a deal or an elite player they covet falls to them, the Jaguars figure to be working the phones in a last-minute attempt to trade down and collect more picks.

General manager Gene Smith said a few weeks ago that the Jaguars would be letting teams know before the draft that they would be open for business.

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This is a smart move by Jacksonville, because a top-10 pick will at least get them a first-round swap, a 2013 first-rounder and two second-round selections. With a spruced up receiving corps and already fielding a top 10 defense, the Jaguars can make significant strides by adding picks.

There won't be an immediate turnaround unless the majority of those acquired picks come from the 2012 draft. Nevertheless, Jacksonville's future will have even more promise considering the near-complete team the Jaguars currently have.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First, according to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report, the Buccaneers are interested in trading away corner Aqib Talib:

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A league source has told PewterReport.com that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made starting cornerback Aqib Talib available via trade. Thus far there have been no takers. The Bucs offered no comment on whether Talib is in fact on the trading block.

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Then on Wednesday, Buccaneers' head coach Greg Schiano seemingly put an end to the rumor according to the Tampa Bay Times Bucs Beat:

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"All I can tell you is that there is absolutely zero thinking on our part as far as wanting to do that. I don't know how all that got started, but no, there's no truth to that."

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It's certainly an interesting change of events, especially since Tampa Bay ranked No. 21 against the pass last season. Talib was a first-round selection in 2008 and has been a quiet standout performer on the Bucs' defense.

With 17 picks, 46 defended passes and 163 tackles for his career, it would be surprising to see Tampa actually part ways with Talib. Still, the Bucs hold the No. 5 overall selection and could get a mid-rounder for Talib, and that's only because of his off-the-field issues.

And considering that Tampa Bay remains in a rebuilding process, it can't afford to deal with that extra-baggage. If a trade turns out to be a no-go, then don't be surprised if Talib just gets let go before the season kicks off.


San Diego Chargers

Currently holding the No. 18 overall pick, the Chargers could end up having a different selection come draft weekend. According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Bolts may make another move during the draft:

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It’s no secret: Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith likes to make moves in April. Sometimes he’s rewarded. Other times, he’s not.

But he’s always open for business, and as the April 26-28 derby approaches, it appears that philosophy hasn’t changed.

“We’re wide open,” Smith said [last] Thursday. “We have been always since I’ve been here, and we’ve done everything. 

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After failing to consistently stop the run and apply a pass rush in 2011, the Chargers must get the best possible defensive end or outside linebacker in Round 1. So, trying to trade up is San Diego's best bet as a prospect like Melvin Ingram will likely go before No. 18.

Courtney Upshaw is another viable option; and his ability to provide a pass rush and stop the run appeals to other teams like the Cowboys, Seahawks and Jets that need an upgrade in the front seven.

If anything, though, expect the Chargers to stay put as there are other solid outside 'backers and rushers in the early/middle rounds.


John Rozum onTwitter.