It’s Draft week! On Thursday, the first ever virtual NFL Draft will occur, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, is going to love it as it will be the first time in years that he won’t be booed at a Draft.
However, there is still some uncertainty with the draft order as trades can happen before or even during the draft. Here are some mock trades that could potentially shake up this year’s draft:
Miami Dolphins Acquire the No. 1 Pick from the Cincinnati Bengals FOR the No. 5, No. 18, No. 26, and No. 56 Picks
I know this sounds kind of crazy, but hear me out. The Miami Dolphins have the most draft picks in the draft this year with 14 total, including three first-rounders, meaning that they have the capital to jump to the No. 1 pick. Also, the Dolphins have had one of the best offseason so far.
They signed CB Byron Jones, pairing him with Xavien Howard. They addressed the LB position, reuniting LBs Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts with Dolphins coach Brian Flores. Continuing with the defense, the Dolphins added EDGE rushers Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah. Looking at the offense, the Dolphins added G Ereck Flowers and C Ted Karras to their offensive line, and RB Jordan Howard.
The one position that the Dolphins need is QB. With an improved defense and offensive line, the Dolphins are poised to take a QB early. Jordan Howard is a solid option at running back, and the receiving options include TE Mike Gesicki and WRs DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, and Albert Wilson. The Dolphins are a QB away from starting to make some noise in the AFC East.
Grabbing Burrow would give the Dolphins their QB of the future. Burrow would also have weapons that he can use effectively with the Dolphins, plus with their other picks, they can add more weapons to Burrow’s arsenal.
This trade also makes sense for the Bengals. The Bengals have added to their defense this offseason with the additions of DT D.J. Reader and CB Trae Waynes. The Bengals can use the extra picks from the trade to bolster the offensive line and defense more.
If the Bengals are still bad next year and don’t improve, Trevor Lawrence will be in next year’s draft and can grab him next year.
Miami Dolphins Acquire the No. 3 pick from the Detroit Lions FOR No. 5 and No. 26 picks
If the Dolphins do not trade up to the No. 1 pick, they could look to trade with Detroit. The Lions are open to trading back and the Dolphins are poised to move up.
The Dolphins can trade with the Lions to move up and lock in what QB they want. The Chargers have also been mentioned to move up in attempt to choose which QB they get instead of grabbing who is available. The Dolphins can trade up and grab their QB of the future, whether it be Tua or Herbert before the Chargers have the chance to trade up.
The Lions would add a second first-round pick in the draft, giving them another chance to bolster their offensive line and defense.
Denver Broncos Acquire the No. 10 pick from the Cleveland Browns FOR No. 15 and No. 77 picks
The Denver Broncos want to add a WR in the first round, and they really like Henry Ruggs III. The Broncos currently sit behind the Jets, Raiders, and 49ers, who are poised to take any of the three top receivers in Jeudy, Lamb, and Ruggs. Elway and the Broncos should feel pressure to move and up and draft one of the top receivers available if that’s what they really want.
The Browns are the perfect trade partner too. The Browns have said that they are open to trading down and drafting OT Ezra Cleveland out of Boise State. The Browns also gain a third-round pick that could be used to add a WR to Baker Mayfield’s arsenal with the deep depth at the position. in this draft.
The Browns give the Broncos the best chance to jump into the top 10 and grab one of the top receivers in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons Acquire No. 9 from Jacksonville Jaguars FOR No.16 and 2020 second-round picks
The Atlanta Falcons are very high on DL Javon Kinlaw out of South Carolina. However, the Jaguars seem to like Kinlaw at the No. 9 pick. The Falcons added Dante Fowler in free agency and look to rebuild the defense that is led by LB Deion Jones.
The Falcons have expressed interest in moving up and drafting Kinlaw. The only way to secure that without the Jaguars stealing him first is to trade with them. The trade would get the Falcons their target in Kinlaw and it gives the Jaguars a couple options at the 16th pick.
The Jaguars can add EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson out of LSU or CB C.J. Henderson out of Florida. Adding Chaisson improves the defensive line that lost Calais Campbell in a trade this offseason and would replenish the secondary that has lost Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye this last year. On top of that, they gain a 2020 second-round pick for next year.
New Orleans Saints Acquire the No. 19 pick from the Las Vegas Raiders FOR No. 24 and No. 130 picks
The Saints lost their backup QB, Teddy Bridgewater to division rival Carolina this offseason. Taysom Hill will be returning to the team, but he is used in special packages. The Saints know that the end is near for Drew Brees and trade up to draft QB Jordan Love out of Utah State. The key reason for the Saints trading up is to get above the Patriots to secure the chances of landing Love before them.
Drafting Love will give him a year or two to develop and grow under one of the greatest QBs of all time. Love would greatly benefit from the mentorship from Brees. Brees is one of the most accurate passers of all time and Love struggles with accuracy. Brees will mentor and help Love grow in the game and when he retires, Love will be the QB of the future for the Saints.
The Raiders can still add help in the secondary by moving back to the 24th overall pick and gain a fourth-pick that can be used to help address their other needs, such as defensive line and offensive line.
