In the 2022 NFL Draft, a record nine trades were made within the first round. That included a stunning trade that sent star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles, the Cardinals acquiring wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, and the Lions aggressively moving to the No. 12 overall pick for Alabama standout Jameson Williams.
The 2023 NFL Draft could perhaps top what we watched unfold last year, with more deals and drama potentially in play. There's expected to be a run on quarterbacks at the top of this draft, and that might include a former MVP being moved. The No. 1 overall pick was already sent from the Bears to the Panthers and more deals seem to be on the way.
With that in mind, here are five draft-day trades we would love to see.
1. Lamar Jackson to Colts for No. 4 pick, 2024 first-round pick
Lamar Jackson was selected 32nd overall by the Ravens in 2018.
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By placing the non-exclusive franchise tag tender on Jackson in early March, the Ravens created an opportunity for another team to sign the 2019 MVP quarterback to an offer sheet – allowing Baltimore to either match the deal or accept two first-round picks in exchange for his departure. But there's also still the possibility that Jackson could be traded away.
In fact, Jackson requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2, five days before the non-exclusive tag was tendered. This could ultimately be the preferred route for Baltimore, a potential suitor and Jackson himself, a trade that would allow Jackson to sign that lucrative contract extension he covets elsewhere.
The Colts could very well be the team that pulls off a blockbuster trade for Jackson. Indianapolis has had a different starting quarterback each of the last four years – Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan – since the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck in 2019.
Given the turmoil that the Colts have endured over the last year, they need stability at quarterback. Jackson is a proven star that immediately makes Indianapolis a Super Bowl contender once again. The alternative would be for general manager Chris Ballard to draft perhaps the third or fourth quarterback on his draft board with the No. 4 overall pick.
The Colts would send the fourth pick plus a 2024 first-round selection to the Ravens, then sign Jackson to a long-term contract extension and finally put an end to this saga.
2. Cardinals deal No. 3 overall pick to Titans, who deal three first-round picks and jump line for quarterback
After one year as the starter at Florida, Anthony Richardson dazzled at the NFL Scouting Combine.
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With the Panthers and the Texans expected to take a quarterback with the first two picks of this draft, the Cardinals face a fascinating possibility. Should they select Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, the best defensive player in this class? Or is Arizona better off trading down from the No. 3 overall pick and setting up another team with its quarterback prospect?
The Cardinals have received calls on the third pick, ESPN reported on Monday. It would only make sense for the Titans to make their bold trade up and solidify a future at quarterback. In doing so, Tennessee would be vaulting ahead of the division rival Colts.
The Titans would be positioning themselves to land the third quarterback in this class – and if it's C.J. Stroud selected by the Panthers and Bryce Young being drafted by the Texans, dynamic quarterback prospect Anthony Richardson would likely be the pick for the Titans.
The template for this trade was set two years ago, when the 49ers traded from the No. 12 overall pick to the Dolphins spot third overall and selected Trey Lance. The Cardinals certainly are in a position of leverage with the No. 3 pick – plenty comfortable selecting Anderson instead of trading – and can demand three first-round picks from the Titans, a team desperate to get its future at quarterback.
3. Giants acquire star wide receiver Tee Higgins from Bengals
Tee Higgins is averaging 14.1 yards per catch through his first three years in the NFL.
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Bengals lead executive Duke Tobin offered a clear message to teams seeking a trade for Higgins.
"Trading Tee Higgins is not on my mind," Tobin said at the NFL Combine in late February. "That's their problem. They want a receiver, go find your own."
But the Bengals may not have a choice in this matter. They signed four-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. this offseason and still must work out massive long-term contract extensions for quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Tobin doesn't want to trade Higgins, but this might just become the best course of action given the looming salary-cap crunch.
After signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a contract extension this offseason, the Giants would trade the No. 25 overall pick and a Day 2 pick to the Bengals and bring in a true top target in Higgins.
4. Cowboys deal up to No. 15 pick and select prized running back prospect Bijan Robinson
Bijan Robinson scored 20 touchdowns in his final season in Austin.
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In assessing the state of his offense this offseason, coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys intend to run the football. So, they'll go ahead and draft the top running back in this class in Robinson.
Robinson is a dynamic running back with game-changing abilities and could completely elevate the Cowboys' offense. The addition of Robinson to Dallas is especially important with current top back Tony Pollard recovering from a broken leg suffered in the playoffs.
The Cowboys can't wait back with the No. 26 overall pick if they truly covet Robinson. Meanwhile, the Packers are looking to bolster their roster depth this offseason and a trade down from the No. 15 pick makes sense in Green Bay. It's a natural trade match for the respective directions of these two historic franchises.
While NFL executives are often reluctant to select a running back in the first round, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn't in that company. Dallas selected Ezekiel with the fourth overall pick in 2016 and can land another star at running back in Robinson.
5. Bears move down again from No. 9 pick, striking deal with Steelers
Former Ohio State star Paris Johnson Jr. is widely regarded as one of the top offensive linemen of his class.
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Hours before the NFL's trade deadline last Nov. 1, the Bears sent a second-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool. That selection turned into the No. 32 overall pick after Chicago bottomed out and finished 3-14.
After trading down from the No. 1 overall pick in March, the Bears could once again be looking to deal down – and the Steelers are potentially seeking a trade up. In need of an offensive lineman, Pittsburgh would make a trade up to the ninth pick owned by Chicago and select the first tackle off the board. Meanwhile, the Bears would land the No. 17 pick from the Steelers and a second-round pick. But it would be Pittsburgh's 49th overall selection instead of the 32nd pick.
The Steelers would set themselves with a pick between Peter Skoronski (Northwestern), Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State), Broderick Jones (Georgia) or Darnell Wright (Tennessee), while the Bears would bring in a fourth selection for Day 2 of the draft.
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