Potential 2018 NFL Draft Trade: Browns-Bills and Patriots-49ers Trades
In the Potential 2018 NFL Draft Trades series, I’ve examined the Bills moving up thus far in the Bills-Giants NFL Draft Trade, and I also discussed a potential Saints-Packers NFL Draft Trade where New Orleans obtains Drew Brees’ successor. Three weeks ago, I mentioned a Browns-Giants NFL Draft Trade, where the two teams would swap the top two choices, and after that, I had a Patriots-Bears NFL Draft Trade post in the wake of New England acquiring a second opening-round selection for Brandin Cooks. Last week, I had two trades, involving the Giants, Broncos and Seahawks trading picks.
With one week remaining, let’s focus on two teams that could move up for quarterbacks: the Bills and Patriots.
Buffalo is almost a guarantee to move up. The team has already moved from 21 to 12, and so like the Eagles a couple of years ago, the team seems poised to make another move for a franchise signal-caller.
It appears as though the Bills have to move into the top four to get their guy. We know three of the picks in that area. The Browns will take Josh Allen or Sam Darnold; the Giants will pick Darnold or Saquon Barkley; and the Jets will choose Darnold or Baker Mayfield. It’s possible that all three teams pass on Darnold. If so, Buffalo will leap quickly to move ahead of Denver. The Browns, losing out on Saquon Barkley due to a lack of logical draft sequencing, would gladly move down after screwing up.
So, what would a Browns-Bills trade look like? Here it is:
Bills acquire: No. 4 (1,800 points) overall = 1,800 points
Browns acquire: Nos. 12 (1,200 points), 56 (340 points), 65 (265 points) = 1,805 points
(see NFL Draft Trade Chart for point values)
In short, the Bills are surrendering second- and third-round picks to move up to No. 4.
This seems like a win-win for both sides. The Bills get their franchise quarterback, while the Browns pick up two second-day selections.
Here are some potential options for the Browns at 12:
Wide Receiver: Calvin Ridley, Alabama; Courtland Sutton, SMU. There were discussions that the Browns would be in the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes, but it doesn’t appear as though Beckham is going anywhere now.
Offensive Tackle: Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame. Joe Thomas has retired. Mike McGlinchey would be a terrific replacement.
Interior Offensive Linemen: Isaiah Wynn, Georgia; Will Hernandez, UTEP; James Daniels, Iowa. Justin Pugh is gone, so the Giants need to bolster the interior of their offensive line. Any of these prospects would make sense at No. 18 if Bradley Chubb is the pick at No. 5.
Cornerback: Joshua Jackson, Iowa; Jaire Alexander, Louisville. The Browns are looking for another cornerback, and one of these players would help.
Meanwhile, the Patriots have been linked to Josh Rosen by multiple reporters, including NESN’s Doug Kyed. It’s highly unlikely Rosen will be on the board at No. 23, so New England will have to move up to get him. Perhaps a trip up into the bottom of the top 10 would suffice.
The Patriots gave the 49ers a discount on Jimmy Garoppolo when they could’ve obtained more from Cleveland. Perhaps San Francisco will return the favor by allowing New England to obtain its successor for Tom Brady.
So, what would a 49ers-Patriots trade look like? Here it is:
Patriots acquire: No. 9 (1,350 points) overall = 1,350 points
49ers acquire: Nos. 23 (760 points) and 31 (600 points) = 1,360 points
(see NFL Draft Trade Chart for point values)
Here are some potential options for the 49ers at 23 and 31:
Wide Receiver: Courtland Sutton, SMU; D.J. Moore, Maryland. The 49ers tried to sign Allen Robinson this offseason, but failed. Perhaps they’d find their No. 1 option after moving down.
Guard: Isaiah Wynn, Georgia; Will Hernandez, UTEP. San Francisco has some pretty poor guard play, so the position definitely needs to be addressed.
Edge Rusher: Harold Landry, Boston College; Sam Hubbard, Ohio State. An edge rusher to pair with Solomon Thomas could definitely be acquired.
Inside Linebacker: Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State; Rashaan Evans, Alabama. If Vander Esch slips a bit, the 49ers could take him to replace Reuben Foster. Evans is a logical choice as well.
Cornerback: Joshua Jackson, Iowa; Jaire Alexander, Louisville. The 49ers could be in the market for a new cornerback as well. Richard Sherman was signed, but he’s no long-term solution.
I normally make a quick mock draft on these pages, but I’m not doing that this week. Why? Because I updated my six-round 2018 NFL Mock Draft today, incorporating both of these trades!
Check out the new mock via the link. With one week to go, there will be plenty of updates.
Potential Bills-Browns and Patriots-49ers Trade Polls
What do you guys think? Should the four teams pull the trigger on these trades? And who wins the deals?
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