For some, the NFL Draft is like Christmas morning as a little kid. You know there will be presents under the tree, but you don’t know whether you got socks or the latest video game console until you undo the wrapping paper. The NFL Draft is very similar. We know there will be trades during the draft. However, will they be a blockbuster deal for a quarterback or a simple trade to move up for a linebacker? More importantly, which teams could trade up during the 2022 NFL Draft? Let’s dive into it.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have already made a trade involving multiple draft picks earlier this month with the Philadelphia Eagles. After the deal, they now have the 16th and 19th pick in the first round. While many believe the Saints will stay put and make their selections, they have the draft capital to move into the top-five picks. They have a long-term question at quarterback, and Malik Willis would be an excellent fit for the Saints.
With seven total picks, including four in the top 100, the Saints could jump ahead of the division rival Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick and guarantee themselves Willis. However, that is likely. Instead, look for the Saints to move up a handful of picks to secure Willis or Kenny Pickett if they make it out of the top 10. The Washington Commanders at pick 11 and the Houston Texans at pick 13 are two prime target partners. New Orleans can send picks 19 and 49 to either team to move up for a quarterback.
Likelihood of Trading Up: 70%
Kansas City Chiefs
Even before the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to Miami Dolphins, they needed help at wide receiver. While they signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, the Chiefs don’t have a No. 1 wide receiver on the roster. Kansas City has 12 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, including six in the first three rounds. If the Chiefs traded all six of those picks, they could get into the top five and have their choice of a wide receiver. However, a trade that extreme won’t happen. Instead, the Chiefs are likely to make a smaller deal to move up on draft night.
There are several wide receiver-needy teams in the late teens and early 20s, including the Saints, Eagles, and Green Bay Packers. All three have two first-round picks ahead of the Chiefs. A potential trade partner for the Chiefs is the Baltimore Ravens. They have the 14th pick in the draft and are just ahead of the Eagles (picks 15, 18) and Saints (picks 16, 19). The Chiefs could send the 29th, 50th, and 103rd picks to the Ravens for pick 14. By trading into the top 15, the Chiefs could land Jameson Williams. While he won’t be ready for the start of the season, Williams is the best player in the draft class to replace Hill.
Likelihood of Trading Up: 65%
Atlanta Falcons
This offseason has been wild for the Falcons. Calvin Ridley got suspended for the 2022 season, while Matt Ryan got traded to the Indianapolis Colts. Atlanta is heading into a rebuilding process after the moves they made this offseason. However, that won’t stop them from being aggressive on draft night if the opportunity presents itself. The Falcons have nine total picks, including five in the top 85 picks, and a need at quarterback. After the Falcons traded Ryan to the Colts, they signed Marcus Mariota to take over as the starter. However, Mariota is only a bridge gap quarterback and not the long-term replacement for Ryan.
While the Falcons are unlikely to select a quarterback with the eighth overall pick, they could trade back into the late first round to grab their next franchise signal-caller. A potential trade partner for the Falcons is the Cincinnati Bengals. The Falcons could send picks 43 and 74 to the Bengals for pick 31. With the Detroit Lions picking at 32, the Falcons likely need to jump up to pick 31 to secure a quarterback. Two possible targets are Desmond Ridder and Matt Corral. If either slides outside the top 25, expect the Falcons to start making calls. Atlanta has four picks on Day 2, giving them the ammo needed to jump back into the first round for a quarterback.
Likelihood of Trading Up: 60%
Dallas Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones recently said he is interested in the Cowboys trading up during the NFL Draft, given where they pick. You can never say never with the Cowboys as long as Jones is at the helm. They have nine picks in the draft, including four in the fifth round. Hypothetically, the Cowboys could move into the top 10 if they combined all their picks. While the Saints traded their entire draft class and more for Ricky Williams in 1999, Jones is not that crazy. Instead, the Cowboys are more likely to move into the teens if Charles Cross starts to slide.
Some teams have Trevor Penning higher on their board than Cross. Thus, Cross could slide out of the top 10. If Cross makes it to the Minnesota Vikings with the 12th pick, the Cowboys could make a call. With the Texans at pick 13, Ravens at pick 14, and Saints at pick 16, the Cowboys know Cross won’t slide to them at pick 24. Instead, they could send the Vikings the 24th, 56th, and 88th picks to move up for Cross. He would fill their need at right tackle as a rookie, with the ability to replace Tyron Smith at left tackle in a year or two.
Likelihood of Trading Up: 50%
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
