NFL Draft 2011: 5 Teams Who Should Consider Trading Up in the First Round

The art of trading on draft day is crucial to the overall success of the draft itself.

Trading down allows teams to acquire picks and/or players if they feel their guy will be available at a later time. Trading up allows teams to pursue a player they feel they have to have. Both can be effective if done correctly.

In every draft, there are teams who lose out on the players they want because they miscalculate the intentions of teams before them. Let's take a look at five teams who should trade up to ensure this doesn't happen.

Washington Redskins

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Redskins are one of seven teams drafting in the top 10 this year who could pursue a quarterback with their first-round pick. They will be drafting with the 10th pick, which means six teams could make a play for the quarterback they want before they have a chance to draft.

If Washington sees its quarterback of the future on the board, the Redskins have to trade up to select him. Odds are another team in front of them sees the same appeal.

It is unclear where the quarterbacks are going to fall, but with so much need at the top of the draft, it seems likely at least two teams are going to go QB early on.

Trading up takes the guesswork and competition out of the quarterback sweepstakes for the Redskins.

St. Louis Rams

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 06: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action during the game against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 24-21.

Nearly every mock I've seen has the St. Louis Rams selecting a wide receiver with the 14th pick in the draft. Sam Bradford needs weapons to throw the ball to. Even when all his targets are healthy, the receiving corps lacks a big-time playmaker.

There are two wide receivers in the draft who have solidified themselves at the top of the group. A.J. Green and Julio Jones are clearly the top two receivers in the class. During the combine, Jones gained some ground on Green.

The rise in Jones' stock becomes problematic for the Rams. Will the Texans find him an ideal counterpart to Andre Johnson? No other receiver justifies the 14th overall pick. The Rams can trade down and settle on a second-tier receiver or trade up and nab a potential superstar. Easy call.

Indianapolis Colts

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Boston College Eagles congratulates teammate Montel Harris #2 after Harris scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles on October 3, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Che

The Colts will likely be one of the worst teams in the NFL after Peyton Manning retires. They have glaring holes all over the roster. Without Manning, the Colts wouldn't sniff the playoffs. With him, they are in the Super Bowl discussion.

The Colts need to start gearing up for Manning's departure. They draft at No. 22 and are in need of a left tackle. Anthony Castonzo seems like he would fit perfectly in Indy. He blew up the combine and could shoot up draft boards.

There are a number of intriguing tackle prospects, but few who appear to have all of the qualities of a premier left tackle. The Colts should trade up to the No. 12 spot to make sure they get their guy.

Seattle Seahawks

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Quarterback Jake Locker of Washington runs a passing drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Seattle needs a successor to Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks overachieved and are drafting at No. 25.

Unfortunately for the Seahawks, this crop of quarterbacks isn't very deep. Teams at the top are going to gamble on lesser prospects to fill needs. This means the teams at the top are going to take the few quarterbacks in this draft who can develop into franchise quarterbacks.

The good news for the Seahawks is that once a quarterback makes it out of the top 12 picks, there are very few teams who are likely to take a quarterback.

The two teams who will consider going quarterback after 12 are the Dolphins at 15 and Jaguars at 16. If Seattle falls in love with a quarterback—like Jake Locker, for example—it may need to trade up to get him.

New England Patriots

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AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 10: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes picks up the loose ball which was knocked out of the hand of quarterback Colt McCoy of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter on October 10, 2009 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Me

The New England Patriots have two picks in each of the first three rounds. Bill Belichick's genius is skewing the competitive balance of football. The Patriots are always movers and shakers in the draft. With so many picks early on, you can bet the Patriots are going to be involved in trade activity.

The Patriots don't have a roster that has been overloaded with talent. It is unclear what direction the Patriots will want to go, but they may want to trade up to snag a corner like Jimmy Smith to go opposite Devin McCourty.