The 5 Most Plausible 2026 NFL Draft-Day Trades

Movement is inevitable during the NFL draft. Teams will be jockeying for position throughout the weekend to manipulate the event to their liking, usually in an attempt to target a specific prospect or add future assets. Established players will be moved as well.

As part of Friday's predictions, Bleacher Report already identified a few instances where trades don't seem just plausible but quite likely. In this case, other potential scenarios remain on the table, with the strong possibility of something materializing during the event.

The draft doesn't remain static, so the idea of moves occurring is a foregone conclusion. The more difficult aspect is trying to understand which ones should before it begins.

NFL front offices game out these exact type of scenarios for weeks leading up to the draft. Let's do the same, with a handful of possibilities that seem logical for something to get done once the action is hot and heavy and decisions need to be made.

Arizona Cardinals Trade Up For a Quarterback

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett

The New York Jets are a major obstacle for the Arizona Cardinals, particularly when it comes to obtaining a quarterback prospect.

Currently, the Jets own this year's 33rd overall pick to start Day 2 of draft festivities. Meanwhile, the Cardinals sit in the 34th slot. While Bleacher Report recently predicted the Jets will move back in the first round and have the ammunition to get a deal done for new signal-caller, specifically Alabama's Ty Simpson, the Cardinals should be more motivated to do so.

Jacoby Brissett posted big numbers after taking over as the Cardinals' starting quarterback last season. At the same time, Arizona lost nine straight games to conclude the campaign.

Brissett and current backup Gardner Minshew II are two of the league's better backups. Neither should be counted upon to be full-time starters. Thus, the Cardinals need to get aggressive and target the incoming class' QB2. Arizona will be forced to jump the Jets to ensure this possibility.

Since the 2025 season ended, Simpson has answered a lot of questions, including with his performance at Alabama's pro day.

"I thought his arm was a little above average on tape," an NFC executive told ESPN's Jordan Reid, "but it's much stronger than I anticipated after seeing him up close."

The San Francisco 49ers offense didn't dip with Mac Jones in the lineup last season. Since new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur couldn't bring Jones with him, the Cardinals can obtain a similar talent to run his system in Arizona.

Houston Texans Trade Out of 1st Round Again

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Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans (left) and general manager Nick Caserio (right)

Inversely, the Houston Texans are the logical team to trade out of the first round for what would be the second straight season.

If the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals are hot on the heels to land their preferred signal-caller based on the assumption the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns will pass on a signal-caller when they select in the 20s, the Texans should take advantage of what could be another quarterback premium.

A year ago, Houston did just that by allowing the New York Giants to move back into the first round and select Jaxson Dart. In doing so, the Texans added three Day 2 draft picks, including a third-rounder this year.

Houston has the benefit of one of the NFL's better-built rosters. The Texans already feature the game's best defense, while adding a few more pieces this offseason. The offensive line has been the squad's biggest sore spot.

The free-agent additions of veterans Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller will greatly strengthen the right side of the front five. Houston also acquired David Montgomery from Detroit Lions to give the Texans a more physical ball-carrier to work alongside Woody Marks.

With the 28th overall pick, the Texans can take full advantage of the incoming quarterback setup, continue to add picks, replenish their depth and strengthen the entire roster. Since they don't have a glaring need to address, general manager Nick Caserio can continue to hoard draft picks and ensure a high level of competition among the team's personnel.

New York Jets Trade for Another Quarterback

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee

As part of the cascading effect with the Arizona Cardinals potentially moving up for Ty Simpson and the New York Jets finding themselves as a squad possibly without a young quarterback who can immediately compete for the team's starting job, general manager Doug Mougey will need to get creative.

Fortunately, NFL teams are now far more open in trying to find reclamation projects at quarterback after seeing what happened with Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Baker Mayfield once they were placed in the right situation. The Jets should strongly entertain this approach.

Geno Smith is back with Gang Green after leaving unceremoniously during the 2017 offseason. Smith may be a completely different quarterback today than he was a decade ago, but he's still 35 years old and coming off a horrific season as arguably the league's worst starter.

To be fair, everything the Las Vegas Raiders did last season set up everyone to fail, hence why the team currently has a new head coach (again) and it owns this year's No. 1 overall pick. Even so, Smith's performance was downright putrid. He shouldn't be fully counted upon to lead a Jets franchise trying to right the ship as well.

According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets already inquired about trading for other options. The Philadelphia Eagles' Tanner McKee, San Francisco 49ers' Mac Jones and Houston Texans' Davis Mills were discussed. At the time, each of those organizations wanted a second-round pick in return. The Jets chose not to pull the trigger.

Considering the amount of draft capital the Jets own—four selections among this year's Top 44—New York can get a deal done and possibly pay less than initial asking price since the quarterback has already cooled off with most teams having their top options in place. The Jets could even use one of those second-round picks, trade back, add further capital and then flip one of the selections for a young veteran able to start.

All three of the options showed significant promise in the last year or two. Each is 27 or younger as well. With all of the work the Jets have done this offseason, a quarterback room of Smith, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe simply isn't good enough. New York needs to do more at the game's most important position and a viable pathway exists to provide some upside and excitement.

Indianapolis Colts Trade for a Pass-Rusher

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Minnesota Vikings edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard

The Indianapolis Colts were set to go all in and add Trey Hendrickson to bolster last year's anemic pass rush. Unforeseen circumstances forced the Baltimore Ravens to change directions after nixing the Maxx Crosby trade, which created an opportunity for Hendrickson to sign a four-year, $112 million deal with the contender.

The Colts rebounded by signing Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency. Though no one can look at either of those acquisitions and state the problem is completely solved. Key and Clemons are good rotational pieces. They aren't the caliber of pass-rushers who will provide constant pressure and scare opposing offenses.

Simultaneously, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen fully understand they're entering a make-or-break season. Either the Colts finally put it all together, or the organization will almost certainly go in a different direction.

The Colts already lack a first-round pick thanks to last year's trade deadline acquisition of cornerback Sauce Gardner. However, the market for an edge-defender isn't nearly as robust when discussing anyone other than Crosby.

Jonathan Greenard is the logical target. The Vikings were looking to create salary-cap space earlier this offseason and did so by restructuring running back Aaron Jones' contract and releasing defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Still, the Vikings are only $5.5 million under the salary cap before signing the incoming rookie class. In order to create some more flexibility, Greenard can be moved, with the team saving $12.3 million via trade.

Even after re-signing wide receiver Alec Pierce and quarterback Daniel Jones, the Colts massaged the numbers to where they still have over $27 million in available cap space. They can easily take on Greenard's remaining base salary and address a significant need, with an end who generated 12 or more sacks in two of the last three seasons.

Indianapolis may not have a first-round pick, but the Colts could easily flip a third- or fourth-round selection—the Dallas Cowboys traded a fourth for Rashan Gary—and possibly quarterback Anthony Richardson to get a deal done.

If the Vikings aren't selling, Indianapolis can then turn to the New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux or the Arizona Cardinals' Josh Sweat as other possibilities.

Cleveland Browns Trade for WR Brian Thomas Jr.

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In what could be a fascinating turn of events reminiscent of the film Draft Day, the Cleveland Browns could send this year's first-round pick originally acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars back to where it belongs, with wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. being the cost of doing business.

A year ago, Jaguars general manager James Gladstone orchestrated a draft-day deal to move up from the fifth overall pick to the second and chose Travis Hunter. As part of the agreement, the Browns received Jacksonville's initial pick in 2026, which turned out to be the 24th overall selection. Gladstone should be able to reacquire the pick simply offering up Thomas.

The 2024 Pro Bowl honoree took a significant step back during his sophomore campaign as others emerged for the Jaguars. During Jacksonville's impressive stretch run, Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers developed into Trevor Lawrence's favorite target. Furthermore, Hunter will return to the lineup after a torn LCL ended his rookie season.

The Browns desperately need a wide receiver, with the inconsistent Jerry Jeudy serving as the squad's top threat. Thomas can immediately enter Cleveland's lineup as WR1 and give whoever is at quarterback a quality target, particularly in the vertical game.

General manager Andrew Berry should look at the situation and realize Thomas is only 23 years old and the Browns aren't going to get a better wide receiver with the draft pick they currently hold. Besides, the market demands a first-round pick in return after the Denver Broncos surrendered one for Jaylen Waddle, who is four years older than Thomas.

Jacksonville has been adamant that it doesn't plan to trade Thomas, but the draft is still a few weeks away and the public rebuke may be a way to ensure a premium return.