2014 NFL Draft: Breaking Down Likely Round 1 Trade Scenarios

We're now just over one month away from the 2014 NFL draft. After a flurry of free-agency activity, the NFL Scouting Combine and plenty of pro days, we have a good idea of what strategy teams may take when the draft rolls around in May.

Draft-day trades are a crucial part of the process. Teams may be targeting a specific player or position and will either need to trade up to get their guy or trade down to avoid reaching.

Taking all of this into consideration, let's look at a few likely Round 1 trade scenarios for the 2014 NFL draft.

Bills and Dolphins Swap Picks

In this scenario, the Buffalo Bills trade down from the No. 9 spot into the Miami Dolphins' 19th position. This benefits both teams.

Miami is in dire need of an elite offensive tackle. There's a good possibility that Jake Matthews of Texas A&M could slide to ninth overall in the draft. If that's the case, the Dolphins get a solid 12-year starter and protector of the budding Ryan Tannehill.

There's a few different positions that the Bills could be eyeing in the draft. One such position is tight end. Yes, they re-signed Scott Chandler over the free-agency period, but Buffalo really needs a big playmaker for EJ Manuel.

Eric Ebron is the top tight end in this year's draft and continues to rise up draft boards. There's a strong possibility that he could be off the board by the time the Bills pick at No. 9 overall.

Trading back to 19 would give the Bills the second-best tight end in the draft—Jace Amaro of Texas Tech.

Amaro is a huge target, can stretch the seam and is reliable in the red zone. Buffalo would make out like a bandit here, getting an athletic tight end and additional picks.

Raiders Strike a Deal with Ravens

It's no secret that the Oakland Raiders have a huge crush on former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr. Although, selecting him with the fifth-overall pick could be a bit of a reach.

In this scenario, the Raiders could strike a deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Oakland moves down to the 17th pick and the Ravens jump up to fifth overall.

This is a bit of a gamble for Oakland, as the Minnesota Vikings hold the eighth pick and could be a suitor for Carr. If the strong-armed quarterback does slide past the Vikings, there are no other quarterback-needy teams until possibly the New York Jets at No. 18 overall and Arizona Cardinals at pick No. 20.

The Raiders get their guy without having to reach and get some additional picks to help bolster a young team.

Baltimore gets a great deal as well. The team did sign Steve Smith in free agency this year; however, he is more of a stopgap than a long-term solution.

Moving up to the fifth pick gives the Ravens a shot at the elite Sammy Watkins. An offense that features the speed of Smith, Torrey Smith and Watkins will be feared by every defense in the league.

Panthers Move up After Trade with Titans

The Carolina Panthers lost their best two receivers during free agency. Steve Smith is now with the Ravens and Brandon LaFell went to the New England Patriots. If Cam Newton is going to continue to shine, he'll need immediate help.

If the Panthers move up to the Tennessee Titans' position at No. 11 overall, they strike gold and select former Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans.

This trade moves Carolina ahead of many wide receiver-needy teams and gives it the second-best receiver in this year's draft class. Evans figures to be a stud in the NFL, and he'll continue to display his on-field prowess with Newton at the helm.

Tennessee's defense has really come a long way recently; however, the team could still use a big, run-stuffing force on the inside—if Ray Horton does implement a 3-4 defense and moves Jurrell Casey to defensive end.

Trading down to the Panthers' pick at No. 28 gives the Titans former Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix.

Nix is the most pure 3-4 defensive tackle in the draft. His girth and strength will allow him to stand up to the biggest offensive linemen in the league.

Not only does Tennessee get a great piece for its growing defense, but the extra picks it receives will continue to strengthen a very good roster.