I’ve been counting down the days until the 2019 NFL Draft since the moment the 2018 draft concluded. At this point, I’m counting the hours. One of the best parts of draft night are the trades that go down and shake up everyone’s mocks. Today, I’ll highlight a handful of teams who could make some trade noise next Thursday night in the first round.
Get a free $3 Best Ball entry into a 2018 DRAFT contest with your first deposit 
Moving Up
Buffalo Bills
- Ammunition: #12, #22, #53, #56, future 1st
- Target(s): Josh Allen (QB), Sam Darnold (QB), Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield (QB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #2-#10
The Bills have one clear goal in mind: get a franchise quarterback. They dumped Tyrod Taylor and while they brought in A.J. McCarron, we know they want one of the big four pieces. They’ve got two firsts and two seconds to move in a possible trade all the way up to #2 with the Giants. Several other teams in the top 10 may be looking to trading down so you can bank on the Bills finding a suitor to get one of the four names listed above.
Arizona Cardinals
- Ammunition: #15, #47, #79, #97, future 1st
- Target(s): Josh Rosen (QB), Baker Mayfield (QB), Josh Allen (QB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #5-#10
While the Cardinals are not as desperate to move up as Buffalo, they are also eyeing quarterbacks in the first round. If they stay at 1.15, Lamar Jackson may drop or they could select a playmaking wide receiver which would help lure another free agent QB to move to sunny Phoenix next off-season. I’d put the odds of them jumping into the top 10 at just below 50%, but if the right player falls and they get a decent price then you can bet they’ll take it.
New England Patriots
- Ammunition: #23, #31, #43, #63, future first
- Target(s): Baker Mayfield (QB), Josh Rosen (QB), Mason Rudolph (QB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #7-#14
As always, we have no idea what Bill Belichick is planning on doing. Apparently the Patriots love Lamar Jackson which means the Patriots have zero intention of selecting Jackson. In fact, they might not even add a QB with any of their four picks in the first two rounds. Perhaps instead, Belichick thinks Alex McGough is a future franchise signal caller in the 6th round. The reason they are listed here is that they have what it takes to jump forward in the draft should whichever QB they love falls
Cleveland Browns
- Ammunition: #33, #35, #64
- Target(s): Kolton Miller (OT), Harold Landry (OLB), Derrius Guice (RB), Joshua Jackson (CB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #18-#32
This one might surprise you since the Browns already have two picks in the top five, but I consider them the most likely team to trade up outside of Buffalo. They’ve got major needs and if one of the four players listed above, or someone they prefer from those positions, should fall then expect Cleveland to pounce by using one or two of those second round picks to tempt a team to trade out of the first round.
Moving Down
New York Giants
- Ammunition: #2
- Target(s): Saquon Barkley (RB), Bradley Chubb (DE), Quenton Nelson (OG), Mike McGlinchey (OT)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #5-#12
Let me go on record to say that if this happened, the fanbase would lose their collective heads. That is, until they realize that Barkley and/or Chubb will almost certainly be sitting there at #5. Denver might not be the best bet to jump up to #2, but if Sam Darnold is sitting there, don’t be surprised if they jump forward. Buffalo’s package of 1.12, 1.22, 2.53 and 2.56 would more than do the trick. They’d get their franchise QB and the Giants could fill plenty of their holes with the likes of McGlinchey, Derrius Guice, Arden Key and Desmond Harrison.
Cleveland Browns
- Ammunition: #4
- Target(s): Vita Vea (DT), Minkah Fitzpatrick (CB), Tremaine Edmunds (OLB), Mike McGlinchey (OT)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #11-#16
The Browns may make even more sense as a trade partner with the Bills. Buffalo could hang onto one of their 2nd round picks, and Cleveland could fill out one of their extreme needs without reaching. Perhaps they sit here and actually take Barkely or Denzel Ward, but you’d think a team with this many holes would grab the extra first round pick. In fact, they could feasibly end up with four first rounders if they wanted to.
Denver Broncos
- Ammunition: #5
- Target(s): Minkah Fitzpatrick (CB), Mike McGlinchey (OT), Mason Rudolph (QB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #11-#16
You can bet John Elway and company have someone in mind. Darnold won’t drop and Josh Rosen‘s outspoken nature almost certainly drops him out of consideration considering Elway’s previous comments. That leaves Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen as potential options, but if the one Denver loves doesn’t drop then they will either take Denzel Ward or trade back to one of the many QB-hungry franchises (Miami at #11, Buffalo at #12, ARI at #15, BAL at #16).
Indianapolis Colts
- Ammunition: #6
- Target(s): Roquan Smith (ILB), Harold Landry (OLB/DE), Mike McGlinchey (OT), Minkah Fitzpatrick (CB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #11-#16
The Colts may have Andrew Luck, but the rest of the roster is absolute garbage. Bradley Chubb would be the pick if he fell, but that seems unlikely. Nelson and Barkely are options, but the Colts could use linebackers or pass rushers enough that moving back is definitely on the table.
Chicago Bears
- Ammunition: #8
- Target(s): Marcus Davenport (DE), Tremaine Edmunds (OLB), Isaiah Wynn (OG)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #11-#23
If I had to bet on one team to move back, it would be the Bears. Unless Nelson were to somehow fall to pick #8, they would have to reach for a pass rusher or take Roquan Smith who has some injury concerns apparently. Instead, they will likely move back a handful of spots and still be able to get their target while acquiring an additional second or third round pick.
San Francisco 49ers
- Ammunition: #9
- Target(s): Harold Landry (DE/OLB), Courtland Sutton (WR), Marcus Davenport (DE), Calvin Ridley (WR)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #11-#23
The 49ers are in a tough spot in the draft, much like Chicago above. Their needs don’t exactly line up with how most draft boards look. Similar to the Bears, they could reach, or simply draft the best player available, which might be Derwin James, or they can take advantage of the teams behind them who will outbid one another for a chance at a quarterback.
Seattle Seahawks
- Ammunition: #18
- Target(s): Isaiah Wynn (OG), Connor Williams (OT), Josh Sweat (DE), Lorenzo Carter (OLB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #22-#40
Pete Carroll and the Seahawks could use pass rushers and may use the pick to add Marcus Davenport or Harold Landry, but they are starved for offensive lineman even more. They could very well take Wynn or Will Hernandez at this spot, but seeing that one would likely still be available 10 picks later, they appear to be among the prime candidates to move back in the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Ammunition: #21
- Target(s): James Daniels (C), Frank Ragnow (C), Hayden Hurst (TE), Rashaan Evans (ILB)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #24-#40
Outside of the Tennessee Titans who are a virtual lock to select a linebacker, the Bengals have the most obvious need in the first round. Their offensive line was a trainwreck, particularly at center. Fortunately for them, this draft features two tremendous center prospects and both should be available toward the end of the first round. If any team (perhaps to Browns) should attempt to move up, their first call might be to Cincy.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Ammunition: #32
- Target(s): Dallas Goedert (TE), Orlando Brown (OT), Justin Reid (S), Josh Sweat (DE)
- Sweet Spot: Picks #35-#47
There is only so much a defending Super Bowl champ needs. They already have the best quarterback/wide receiver on the planet (Nick Foles, for those of you who didn’t watch the game). They can replace Trey Burton at tight end or groom 36-year-old Jason Peters‘ replacement, but because they’ve got no desperation, they are ideal candidates to sit back and let quality offers roll in. Keep in mind, this 32nd pick is in high demand each and every year.
Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS
