The Los Angeles Rams made a huge draft board jump when they moved up from the No. 15 to the No. 1 overall pick. To make this trade possible, the Rams traded their first-round pick (No. 15), two second-round selections (No. 43 and 45) and a third-round pick (No. 76). The Titans also will get the Rams' first- and third-round picks in 2017. In exchange, the Rams got the top overall pick, along with the Titans' fourth- (No. 113) and sixth-round (No. 177) picks this year.
A deal that reminded Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of the historic Herschel Walker trade, this trade proves that the Los Angeles Rams feel they have just one piece left of the puzzle to complete: get a franchise quarterback.
On top of the Rams making this blockbuster trade, there are rumors that numerous teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets want to trade Cleveland for the No. 2 overall pick to draft whichever quarterback the Rams don't draft. It makes sense for all of those teams to make the trade because they already have some talent on their roster to surround their quarterback. Yes, even the 49ers.
The Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, have probably the least talented roster in the league. They have a decent tight end in Gary Barnidge, but that's their only real offensive weapon. They have a couple of playmakers on defense, but that's about it. A team like the Browns is best off trading their No. 2 overall pick for even more picks or even players. If they can salvage RG3's career, they can use him as a transition QB until they find their guy for the future.
Here are some draft day trades that would make sense for the Browns:
The San Francisco 49ers trade the No. 7 overall pick, Colin Kaepernick, their 2nd round pick (No. 37 overall), and a late round pick to the Browns for the No. 2 overall pick to draft either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff.
How it adds up:
The NFL Draft Value Chart (which can be found here), puts the No. 2 overall pick at 2600 points and the No. 7 overall pick at 1500 points. That means the 49ers need to make up 1100 points to even out the trade with the Browns. If the 49ers give the Browns their 2nd round pick -- No. 37 overall valued at 530 points -- they only need to make up 570 more points, which is the value of the 1st or 2nd pick in the 2nd round. Common rumors circulating around a Colin Kaepernick trade value him at a 2nd or 3rd round pick. While the 1st or 2nd pick in the 2nd round is a little high for Kaepernick, just know that on top of Kaepernick being an upgrade over RG3, Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson has been a fan of Kaepernick for years, and even tried to draft him when he was head coach of the Raiders.
Why it should happen:
While the 49es are far from being a Superbowl contender, they still at least have some talent on the team to surround Wentz or Goff. They have one of the better young running backs in the league (when healthy) in Carlos Hyde, Australian Rugby star Jarryd Hayne, deep threat Torrey Smith, and a pair of up and coming tight ends in Garret Celek and Vance McDonald. If the Rams draft Wentz, and you're a little superstitious, then you will really want the 49ers to trade to No. 2 and draft Goff. Remember that CAL quarterback about 10 years ago that the 49ers could have drafted, but they went with Alex Smith instead? What was his name? Darren Dodgers? Something like that...
The Los Angeles Rams also play against the 49ers in Week 1. Could we see a potential Wentz vs. Goff matchup? That would be reminiscent of the exhilarating Winston vs. Mariota matchup in week 1 of last season.
The Philadelphia Eagles trade their No. 8 overall pick, next year's first round pick, and a 3rd round pick this year (either No. 77 or 79), for the Browns' No. 2 overall pick to draft either Wentz or Goff.
How it adds up:
Swapping first round picks this year puts the Eagles 1200 points down. Assuming the Eagles are average next year, you could expect them to pick in the middle of next year's draft. The middle pick of the 1st round, No. 16, is valued at 1000 points. Combine that with either of their 3rd round picks, and that puts them either 5 points up or 5 points down on the Browns. Almost perfectly even.
Why it should happen:
Like the 49ers, the Eagles aren't near being Superbowl contenders yet, but they have some pieces to surround a new quarterback. Sam Bradford is great as a transition QB, but he won't be taking the Eagles anywhere anytime soon. In a relatively weak NFC East where every other team has found their franchise quarterback, the Eagles need to act fast. An upgrade a quarterback could easily put them in contention for the division title.
The New York Jets trade their 1st and 4th round picks this year, No. 20 and No. 118, Muhammad Wilkerson, and their 1st round pick next year to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 overall pick.
How it adds up:
The Jets currently value Muhammad Wilkerson as a first round pick. If you give him the same value as their No. 20 overall pick, those would both add up to 1700 points. If you assume their pick next year is the same at No. 20, that adds up to 2550. Add their 4th round pick, and you're sitting at 2608- almost exactly the value of the Brown's 2nd overall pick at 2600 points.
Why it should happen:
The Brown's defense is what gives the team any credibility, and adding Wilkerson could help them keep up with the other pretty strong defenses in their division. While the Browns would lose out on both Wentz and Goff, Paxton Lynch could easily be available at No. 20 overall. Complete this trade, and the Browns get one of the best defensive linemen in the league, a potential franchise QB in Paxton Lynch, and a 1st round pick next year.
The Jets on the other hand, really only need a solid QB to take them to the playoffs. The loss of Wilkerson will hurt, but their defense is strong and deep enough to make up for it. The Jets were a couple of Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions away from making the playoffs last season. Add Wentz or Goff and offseason acquisition Matt Forte to the mix, and the Jets could be a dangerous team next season.
Another trade that could make sense:
The New York Jets trade their 1st round pick at No. 20 overall, Muhammad Wilkerson, and a late round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 7 overall pick.
How it adds up:
Note: This trade would only happen if Wentz or Goff somehow slipped to No. 7 overall.
Like before, if Wilkerson is valued at the No. 20 overall pick, combining him with the Jets' 1st round pick would put them at about 1700 points. Even if Wilkerson was valued at the 32nd pick, the Jets 1st rounder and him would make up about 1440 points. The 49ers No. 7 overall pick is valued at 1500 points. Throw in a later round pick, and the trade is pretty much even.
Why it should happen:
The 49ers could use a dynamic pass rusher to their defense. Wilkerson, Armstead, and Aaron Lynch would be decently scary to an opposing QB. The No. 20 overall pick would also put the 49ers in the position to pick one of the best Wide Receivers in the draft class. If Chip Kelly, Trent Baalke, and Colin Kaepernick can work out their differences, a 1st round receiver might be able to help Kaep get to his old form. Adding a weapon on offense and a weapon on defense in Wilkerson could help the 49ers return to winning form -- at least maybe potential wild-card playoff team form.
The Jets just need a QB. If Wentz or Goff somehow fall to No. 7 overall, the Jets should give the 49ers a call and make a deal. And it's the same thing if they trade Wilkerson to the Browns. It'll hurt a little, but they have depth on the d-line and having a disgruntled player in Wilkerson on the team just hurts overall team morale.
These are just a couple of possibilities for draft day trades. What trades do you think will happen on draft day?
