Top 2026 NFL Draft Trade-Up Scenarios for Best Available Prospects

Trades are inevitable during the first round of any NFL draft class. Those moves are dictated by the available talent. For the 2026 event, five specific prospects should dictate movement based on their talent and/or the positions in which they play.

Three are found at premium spots, with quarterback and offensive tackle not having great projected depth. Conversely, a pair of top-four overall talents should create a frenzy even though they are found at devalued positions.

Based on how Week 18 of the NFL regular season plays out, the top of this year's NFL draft could be defined by teams swapping picks, taking a run at two potential franchises quarterbacks and that's only if both declare.

A fascinating setup could emerge over the next four months, with multiple high picks in play.

Race to No. 1 Overall Pick

Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

With three College Football Playoff games set to be played in New Year's Day, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick for April's NFL draft.

"Mendoza reads coverages well, identifies vulnerabilities based on the play call, and takes advantage of them," B/R scout Dame Parson wrote about the 6'5", 225-pound prospect. "He has a natural, strong understanding of how to play quarterback. Mendoza dissects defenses quickly and efficiently from the pocket. The speed of his mental process, paired with his quick decision-making, will fit into most NFL offensive concepts/structures."

Going into this weekend's NFL action, the Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 overall pick, but action could heat up quickly if the Silver and Black happen to win Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs—which is a realistic possibility since the Chiefs are down to their third-string quarterback.

If that occurs and the New York Giants lose against the Dallas Cowboys, the No. 1 overall pick will be available for the highest bidder since Big Blue doesn't need a quarterback after drafting Jaxson Dart in last year's first round.

The New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns are the likely suitors since both teams still have question marks behind center and own a pair of first-round picks in this year's draft class.

The desperation from both franchises to finally get settled at quarterback could creating a bidding war between the two, with the Giants benefiting with a windfall of assets in return, including at least two (if not three) first-round draft picks.

Another Raiders loss will then place the action on the second overall pick.

Dante Moore's Importance to 2026 NFL Draft

AP Photo/Barry Reeger

Two quarterback prospects are viewed a potential top-10 draft selections. Fernando Mendoza is one, with Oregon's Dante Moore being the other. Although, Moore isn't guaranteed to declare for the upcoming class.

Moore is only 20 years old. Even so, his poise is well beyond his years and experience.

"Moore plays with a low pulse and is difficult to speed up," Parson wrote. "He trusts his ability within the offensive structure and design. In those clutch or "gotta have it" moments, Moore has answered the bell confidently."

Obviously, he's still young enough to go back for another collegiate season, try to make another run at a national championship and secure himself as the No. 1 overall pick for the 2027 class. Some may argue the redshirt sophomore is QB1 this year if he decides to leave Oregon early.

As of now, Mendoza holds a slight edge for that spot, which makes Moore enticing with the No. 2 overall pick. If the Giants stay in that slot, it's the opportune time for the Browns to jump ahead of the Jets and ensure they land the Cleveland native instead of him going to Gang Green.

At that point, other franchises like the Arizona Cardinals or even Los Angeles Rams could come into play since they don't have to move all the way up to No. 1 overall.

The Rams made a similar move a decade earlier when it sat outside of the Top 10 and still landed the top pick to select Jared Goff. This time, general manager Les Snead has a pair of first-round picks as trade fodder. With Matthew Stafford set to turn 38 in February, the Rams could get aggressive once again.

But Moore has to be available this year for any of those scenarios to come to life.

Where OT1 Comes into Play

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns currently own the fifth and sixth picks, respectively. Those two particular teams hold important placement regarding the possibility of the first offensive lineman coming off the board, whether they stay in those particular slots or shift slightly based on Week 18 outcomes.

Both the Cardinals and Browns have major concerns at quarterback. As mentioned earlier, both could be in play for one at the top of the draft. If that does not come to fruition, both franchises desperately need to improve the protection around whomever starts behind center.

Free agency could play a big part for both organizations since the Cardinals don't have a long-term answer at right tackle, and the Browns are staring at an offseason where a complete reset along the front five is not out of the equation.

Utah's Spencer Fano could easily be the top target for both franchises.

"Fano is the 2026 class' top offensive tackle prospect due to his loose, fluid movement skills and relentless motor that allows him to get out of compromising positions, strain and sustain blocks at a high level," B/R scout Brandon Thorn wrote about the Outland Trophy winner.

If the Browns are convinced they can build around Shedeur Sanders, they may try to leapfrog the Cardinals to ensure they get the top offensive tackle prospect since Fano can serve as the anchor and tone-setter for rebuilt front.

Behind those two teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals are both interesting options with the potential to make a move. Their front offices have invested heavily in their respective offensive lines but haven't gotten the results they likely expected, particularly with the recent injury histories of Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. The best way to keep a quarterback happy is by keeping him upright. Both teams have failed to do so on a consistent basis.

Will Someone Move Up to Select S Caleb Downs?

James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Safety isn't considered a premium position. Instead, it's a position where a top prospect will slide to some degree regardless of how talented that individual is.

Case in point, Kyle Hamilton fell to the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft despite being the class' most unique talent. He's since become a first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Heading into the 2026 class, Ohio State's Caleb Downs is B/R's No. 1 overall prospect regardless of position. He's unlikely to be drafted anywhere near that point, though. The odds are more than likely that he slides out of the top five altogether and possibly to the fringe of Top 10 because of positional value.

It's all rather silly because Downs is one of the most complete safeties to ever come out of the collegiate ranks. He's been dominant since he stepped onto the field as a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide and continued his high-level play in the Buckeyes' pro-style defense as its field general.

"I think just in general with Caleb, just the amount of experience he has playing football is probably the most important thing," Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told reporters. "His professionalism and how he prepares is probably the best example that I can point to for all the players."

Some team is going to see extreme value in the addition of Downs if/when slides to some degree. The Washington Commanders could be first in line with the seventh overall pick. However, the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings should definitely be in play as potential trade-up possibilities to land the class' best talent at a discounted price.

Running Back Worthy of First-Round Investment

AP Photo

Much like safety, running back doesn't get the love that it should based on its impact.

Look around the NFL and see Derrick Henry dominate the Green Bay Packers, Bijan Robinson produce over 2,200 yards from scrimmage and Christian McCaffrey serve as the focal point of a dominant San Francisco 49ers offensive run.

Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love is next in line as an elite running back prospect capable of being an every-down threat. Love grades as the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's fourth overall prospect regardless of position.

"Love is a dynamic and explosive running back who possesses the skill set to be a complete weapon in an NFL offense," Parson wrote in Love's scouting report. "He combines home-run top-end speed with route-running and pass-catching ability to impact the offense in multiple ways."

As discussed with Caleb Downs, Love isn't going to be drafted where his talent dictates. Instead, he could easily fall even further than the safety prospect because of how devalued the running back position is as a whole despite obvious evidence to the contrary.

Today's offensive approach is all about creating mismatches and getting as many weapons on the field as possible, whether they play wide receiver, tight end or running back. Love fits the mold, particularly for a team in need of a ball-carrier to balance the offense.

No specific landing spots jump out where Love should be a lock to hear his name called. However, a window between picks 17 and 26 based on the current draft order is a fascinating spot for a team to make a move and acquire Love.

Three specific franchises—the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans—sit within that range.

Dallas actually has an earlier pick, which could come into play, with Minnesota wanting to get ahead of the Cowboys. Though Jerry Jones' decision could be swayed by whether Dallas re-signs Javonte Williams or a defensive prospect is preferred.

The Vikings, meanwhile, can take pressure of their young quarterback, JJ McCarthy, by giving him a younger, more dynamic running back than Aaron Jones.

The Houston Texans lie in wait a little later in first round. The Texans already have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. The team can't go into another season with aging ball-carriers Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb, though. Woody Marks is a nice change-of-pace option, but he shouldn't be considered a featured back.

Both the Vikings and Texans are found among the NFL's bottom 10 in rushing offense. Either could make a significant leap by drafting Love, though an aggressive move to obtain his services may be necessary.