Realistic Draft Trade Possibilities for the Washington Redskins

Scot McCloughan hung an "open for business" sign on the Washington Redskins front office ahead of the 2015 NFL draft. Seven picks simply isn't enough for the team's new general manager, who deems 10 the magic number, per CSN Washington's Rich Tandler.

Fortunately, there are plenty of scenarios able to satisfy the demand for volume in Washington. Budding sweepstakes regarding a stellar quarterback and an awesome pass-rusher can work to McCloughan's advantage.

He knows the Redskins are in the sweet spot regarding the opening round. Sitting at the middle of the top 10 and not in major need of any of the players likely to come off the board early, McCloughan's phone shouldn't be quiet for long on draft day.

Trade with the Cleveland Browns to Earn 12th and 19th Selections

McCloughan could soon be made an offer he can't refuse. The bait will be dangled by the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

It seems the Browns are determined to land dual-threat quarterback Marcus Mariota. General manager Ray Farmer is open to a trade for the ex-Oregon sensation, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer. It's a deal that would see Washington earn a second first-round choice.

That has to be very hard for any general manager to pass on. Tougher still for the general manager trying to rebuild every level of a losing program the way McCloughan is.

One potential spanner in the works is the recent decision to pick up Robert Griffin III's fifth-year option, per NFL Media' Albert Breer. Yet Breer also noted how McCloughan has insisted it's a choice that doesn't preclude taking a passer in Round 1.

If he can really sell that line, McCloughan could earn the chance to snatch a pair of Day 1 starters. It's a scenario where Washington could come away from the opening round with both an edge-rusher and an offensive lineman, the team's two biggest needs.

Looking at some of the latest mock drafts, the Redskins would still be in line to acquire prospects such as rush end Randy Gregory, offensive linemen La'el Collins and Andrus Peat, as well as edge defender Bud Dupree.

Of course, a double haul like that will only be possible if Mariota is still in play at the fifth pick. That would mean the Tennessee Titans passing on him second overall.

It seems senseless for the Titans to pass on Mariota, but B/R's Chris Simms, in the video above, highlighted a lack of consistent pro-style throws and reads, as well as an occasional too-quick-to-run trait as possible negatives.

If those things are enough to put the Titans off Mariota, the Redskins will be in the ideal spot to deal with those still undeterred. If that means trading with the Browns, Washington will get its dream bounty in the form of two first-round picks.

Trade with the Atlanta Falcons to Get 8th Pick and 3 Mid- to Late-Rounders

Washington's interest in Dante Fowler Jr. is no secret. In fact, ESPN's John Keim believes the Redskins will choose between Fowler or Vic Beasley in Round 1.

That could make the Atlanta Falcons antsy given their need for a pass-rusher and the desire to make Fowler their force off the edge. The NFC South club is already considering moving up to get the player new head coach Dan Quinn once tutored in college, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Fowler certainly wouldn't be against reuniting with his former coach. He's made that clear, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

"

[Quinn] was the type of guy who would sit me down like I was his son and we would go over film. He showed me what I was doing wrong. And he’d show up a clip of how to do it the right way because I’m a visual type learner. He’s a player’s coach type of guy. You couldn’t ask for more.

"

McCloughan can turn the idea of a reunion into the extra picks he wants to take his draft haul from seven to 10. That's assuming Fowler makes it past the Jacksonville Jaguars, owners of the third pick.

Fowler's indicated he'd be "stunned" if the Jags pass on him, according to Hays Carlyon of The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville is a safe bet as a team needing an infusion of talent along the front seven.

The Jags also play the same multiple-front scheme Quinn favors. Gus Bradley, Quinn's predecessor as the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator, would make a hybrid rusher the focal point of his defense.

Yet not everybody is convinced Fowler will stay in Florida. CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes Bradley won't pass on defensive tackle Leonard Williams.

Moving from eighth to fifth would cost Atlanta 300 points, according to Walter Football's trade value chart. By those numbers, the Redskins should be able to earn at least a third-, fifth- and sixth-round pick.

MMQB's Peter King sees this trade as very possible, even if he doesn't package the picks the same way. But King does pinpoint McCloughan's zeal for additional picks as a primary factor.

You also can't discount Atlanta's strong motivation for a quality pass-rusher. The worst defense in football managed just 22 sacks in 2014.

Three extra choices is a more-than solid haul for moving back as many spots in the opening round. Sitting at No. 8 would allow Washington to steal a march on NFC East rival the New York Giants and select the draft's best O-lineman, Brandon Scherff.

Trade with the New Orleans Saints for 13th Pick, a Second and Two Late-Rounders

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Owning two first-round picks gives the New Orleans Saints plenty of flexibility. But this is one team not short on needs.

A marquee wide receiver, quality outside pass-rusher and genuine shutdown cornerback should be near the top of the NFC South outfit's wish list. So the Redskins would have little trouble tempting the Black and Gold into a trade.

Moving from 13th to fifth overall makes the most sense. It's a deal that would likely cost the Saints a second-, fourth- and sixth-rounder. That fits close enough with the 550-point difference needed to move eight spots in Round 1, per Walter Football.

Such a haul would take McCloughan to the magic number of 10 selections he wants to utilize this year. The extra second-round choice would be the major prize in this deal. It would position McCloughan to snatch three potential instant-impact additions.

Dropping to 13th may not be a problem if it leaves Washington in position to look past the likes of Fowler and Beasley. The Redskins would still at least be able to target edge-rushers Randy Gregory and Bud Dupree.

Yet ESPN's John Keim doesn't believe McCloughan will take a risk on the former. But the latter is a different story.

Washington has already sent defensive staff to meet with Dupree, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. Selecting Dupree and using a pair of second-rounders on the offense, specifically the trenches, would represent a major win for McCloughan and the Redskins.

Trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to Get 20th Pick, 52nd Pick and First in 2016

Like it or not, the Philadelphia Eagles aren't going away any time soon. Neither is Philly boss Chip Kelly's interest in Mariota, the quarterback he once tutored at Oregon.

While the Redskins may be wary about handing a possible franchise quarterback to a division rival, would McCloughan really say no if it meant earning a first-rounder in 2016?

That would certainly go some way to making up for what this franchise lost when it gave away the keys to kingdom for Griffin back in 2012. If the Eagles offered their first and second this year and a first and fourth next year, Washington would be well compensated for dropping back 15 spots.

This was the deal MMQB writer Peter King laid out back in February. It's still too good to pass up for Washington.

In fact, as draft day nears and other try and move, perhaps McCloughan could really test Kelly's resolve and ask for a first and second this year and the next. Another alternative would be to turn the trade into a one-year bonanza of a first, second, and multiple late-rounders this year.

It would take that kind of package to meet the 850-point requirement needed to jump from 20 to five, per Walter Football. Many would be put off by the idea of strengthening the Eagles, but those same dissenters should think what this trade might do Washington for years to come.

A Trade Is Beginning to Seem Inevitable

Nick Wass/Associated Press

It really does look as though McCloughan will go into wheeler dealer overdrive come draft day. The chance for extra picks is too good to pass up for a team-builder who wants to make the draft the foundation for sustained winning.

Any trade that nets extra picks has to be considered a win. But it also means McCloughan will be under pressure to prove his reputation is justified.

They'll be no hiding if he can't turn multiple picks into a stronger roster.