5 blockbuster trades we'd like to see during 2021 NFL Draft

If the Patriots are serious about finding their next franchise quarterback in this draft class, and Justin Fields or whichever quarterback they like is still available after the third (or fourth) overall pick, this is prime territory for them to move up. In fact, the Patriots and Panthers have reportedly discussed the groundwork for a potential trade.

The Panthers were once believed to be a team that could draft a quarterback in this spot, but after trading for Sam Darnold, it is possible the could trade back. This would be an ideal spot for the Patriots to move into for a QB because it puts them ahead of the Denver Broncos, plus other teams — such as the Bears or Washington Football Team — could also be looking to trade into this spot for a quarterback.

If Fields (or even Mac Jones) is there, and that is Bill Belichick’s guy, then they have to get up to get him or risk losing out.

Ok, Plan B (or maybe even Plan A): The Patriots, for whatever reason, stand pat at No. 15 and do not draft a QB. Instead, they revisit talks with the San Francisco 49ers about Jimmy Garoppolo. There seems to be a lot of steam picking up that the Niners will move the veteran quarterback, especially in light of Kyle Shanahan’s ominous comments, and who better a match than the team that originally drafted him?

We know Bill Belichick thought highly of Garoppolo while he was in New England and he would come into a situation where he could compete with Cam Newton for the starting job. Garoppolo would likely cost the Patriots their second-round pick, which is exactly what the Patriots got in return for trading him in 2018.

The Falcons have reportedly been fielding calls regarding Julio Jones, and while they would have to wait until June 2 to officially make the trade, Atlanta could agree to the framework of a deal to send the star wide receiver to Baltimore before or during the draft.

Any team that would want to trade for Jones would likely have to factor in his salary and spot on the depth chart prior to making big draft decisions. So, reaching an agreement in principle prior to the draft would be crucial, especially for a team like the Ravens who could opt to use their picks to address other needs if they know they are getting a star veteran wide receiver.

Baltimore does have two third rounders in 2022 it can spare in a deal, or perhaps a second and a fourth is what gets a deal done, knowing they have two picks in the third.

The Washington Football Team needs to trade up from 19 into probably the top 10 if they want one of the top-five quarterbacks in the draft. That will be a bit of a tall order to pull off.

There other options? See if Kyle Trask or Kellen Mond is available in the second round or look elsewhere for a quarterback. Elsewhere could come in the form of Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Carolina has been shopping Bridgewater and Washington would be an ideal fit for him. It would allow for Ryan Fitzpatrick to start the season and Bridgewater to serve as a backup, potentially preparing himself to start in 2022. Of course, Bridgewater has already fulfilled the backup role with the Saints, which led him to the Panthers job, but Fitzpatrick is not exactly the most durable QB, either, and Bridgewater will likely get his chances to prove he belongs with Washington.

Tight end Zach Ertz has been on the trading block for months and his time with the Eagles may finally come to an end by the conclusion of the NFL Draft. This is the perfect time for teams to make any unfinished deals from the offseason, and that includes the Eagles and Ertz.

In fact, by waiting until the draft, the Eagles could use Ertz as leverage in a package to try and trade up at some point in the draft. An intriguing option would be packaging Ertz and the No. 37 pick to the Buffalo Bills for their 30^th overall pick in the first round.

The Bills were unwilling to part with a third rounder for Ertz back in March and talks seemed to have dissolved between the two, but the two sides could always revisit. While it seems like this is more than what the Eagles were originally asking for, the Bills would only have to move seven spots back. Depending on what their draft board looks like and how confident they feel in what they can get at 37, this could be enticing enough for Buffalo to pull the trigger on Ertz.