Potential 2018 NFL Draft Trade: Giants-Broncos and One Bonus Trade
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. Two 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.
Let’s go back to the top five, because I got a tip from a Facebook friend I’ll keep anonymous. He alerted me that the Giants and Broncos are discussing a trade. In this proposed transaction, Denver would move up to No. 2 to select Sam Darnold, while the Giants would slide down to take either Bradley Chubb or Quenton Nelson with the fifth-overall choice.
It remains to be seen if this trade will actually happen, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if this tip is true, and that Denver and New York have spoken about a deal. The Bills are the most popular team people are projecting to move up, but the quarterback-needy Broncos could do so as well.
So, what would a Giants-Broncos trade look like? Here it is:
Broncos acquire: Nos. 2 (2,600 points) overall = 2,600 points
Giants acquire: Nos. 5 (1,700 points), 40 (500 points), 71 (235 points), RB C.J. Anderson (~100 points) = 2,535 points
(see NFL Draft Trade Chart for point values)
In short, the Broncos are surrendering their second- and third-round picks, as well as C.J. Anderson (whom Denver wants to trade), to move up to No. 2.
The Giants would have Nos. 34, 40, 66, 69 and 71 as second-day selections. They also have No. 108. All of these choices would allow them to add lots of talented players to fill out their depth. They could also package some of those picks to move up into the bottom half of the opening round. For example, picks 34, 66 and 108 are worth 898 points. The 18th pick, owned by the Seahawks, is worth 900 points. Seattle is desperate to move down because it won’t be on the clock again until No. 120.
Bonus trade!!!
Giants acquire: Nos. 18 (900 points) overall = 900 points
Seahawks acquire: Nos. 34 (560 points), 66 (260 points) and 108 (78 points) = 898 points
(see NFL Draft Trade Chart for point values)
The Giants would come away from the draft with one of Quenton Nelson or Bradley Chubb, as well as C.J. Anderson and whomever they select at Nos. 18, 40, 69 and 71. That sounds pretty good to me!
Here are some potential options for the Giants at 18:
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson, Louisville. Hey, maybe the Giants can get their quarterback after all! If they like Jackson a lot, this makes a ton of sense.
Wide Receiver: Calvin Ridley, Alabama; Courtland Sutton, SMU; D.J. Moore, Maryland. It doesn’t appear as though the Giants will trade Odell Beckham Jr. prior to the draft, but he could be dealt afterward. Even if he isn’t, the Giants still need a No. 2 receiver across from him, as Brandon Marshall was a failure.
Offensive Tackle: Kolton Miller, UCLA. The Giants signed Nate Solder, but still need help at right tackle.
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.
Edge Rusher: Marcus Davenport, UTSA or Harold Landry, Boston College. Conversely, if the Giants go with Quenton Nelson, they could opt for Davenport or Landry with the 18th-overall choice.
Linebacker: Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State. New York is desperate for linebacker help, and jumping ahead of Dallas would be crucial in attempting to obtain Vander Esch.
Cornerback: Joshua Jackson, Iowa; Jaire Alexander, Louisville. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is gone, and it seems as though Eli Apple isn’t too far behind him.
Let me know what you think! Who would win this trade? I’ve set up a poll below, and you can comment as well.
In the meantime, I wanted to run through what the 2018 NFL Draft would look like if this trade were to happen. I’ve used my current 2018 NFL Mock Draft as a template.
1. Browns: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
2. Broncos: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
3. Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
4. Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
5. Giants: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
6. Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
7. Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
8. Bears: Terrell Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
9. 49ers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
10. Raiders: Vita Vea, NT, Washington
11. Dolphins: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
12. Bills: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
13. Redskins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
14. Packers: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
15. Cardinals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
16. Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
17. Chargers: Da’Ron Payne, NT, Alabama
18. Giants: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
These trades really benefit all three parties:
Potential Broncos-Giants and Giants-Seahawks Trade Polls
What do you guys think? Should the three teams pull the trigger on these trades? And who wins the deals?
NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
