The 2022 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and with it comes all the customary speculation about which prospects are rising and falling, and which teams may be inclined to trade up or back in order to reshape their rosters.
The mock-draft industrial complex is in overdrive trying to predict every twist and turn, but the big day always seems to bring an unforeseen blockbuster trade or two that no one saw coming and shakes things up.
Along those lines, we've tried to formulate five notable, realistic deals and corresponding selections that could turn the first round -- slated for April 28 -- on its head.
Our formula is based on a combination of previous reports, rumors, apparent team needs, and an evaluation of each team's draft capital.
Without further ado, here are five blockbuster trades we'd like to see on draft day:
Philadelphia Eagles acquire sixth overall pick from Carolina Panthers, select USC wide receiver Drake London
Eagles get: Pick no. 6
Panthers get: Picks no. 15, 51, 154
We begin with the Eagles cashing in one of their two first-rounders in a deal that moves them up into the top 10. With the sixth pick, the Eagles presumably have their choice of wide receivers, a position where they have been thought to be seeking to upgrade this offseason. If they take London, they will be giving Jalen Hurts a massive, physical target who has a big catch radius. The USC product would make a great complement to the speedy, more refined DeVonta Smith, and while London might be a minor reach at No. 6, this draft is shaping up to be "mysterious" and wholly unpredictable, so there's no guarantee that Drake or any of the other top wideouts would be available if the Eagles stand pat at 15.
The Panthers need a quarterback, but they've picked the wrong year to have such a high pick. By trading back and picking up some extra picks along the way, they can still likely nab purported Matt Rhule favorite Kenny Pickett at No. 15.
Kansas City Chiefs acquire seventh overall pick and CB James Bradberry from New York Giants, select Jameson Williams
Chiefs get: Pick no. 7, cornerback James Bradberry
Giants get: Picks no. 29, 30, 94
The Chiefs have plenty of draft capital after the trade that sent stud wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. In this deal, they cash in on some of those picks to move up, and they also add a solid veteran cornerback, which is a position of need for them, in Bradberry.
The Giants are rebooting with a new front office and head coach, but they also need cap relief, and have reportedly been seeking a trade partner for Bradberry for much of the offseason, apparently to no avail. This deal allows them to unload Bradberry, and though they lose one of their two top-10 picks, it still gives them an additional first-rounder, giving them three total.
With the seventh pick, we have the Chiefs taking Alabama dynamo Jameson Williams, whose blazing speed has earned him comparisons to none other than Hill himself. Williams' draft stock is somewhat in question after a late-season injury last year, but we're betting his jaw-dropping talent ultimately prevails.
Green Bay Packers acquire 10th overall pick from New York Jets, select Garrett Wilson; Jets acquire WR DK Metcalf from Seattle Seahawks
Packers get: Picks no. 10, 69, 117 from NYJ
Jets get: Pick no. 22 (from GB), WR DK Metcalf (from SEA)
Seahawks get: Picks no. 28 (from GB), 38, 111, 163 (from NYJ)
There's a lot going on here, in what is essentially a three-way deal by way of two separate bilateral deals. But basically, the Jets are flipping the 10th pick and others to Green Bay in exchange for two late first-rounders, 22 and 28, then taking the latter of those two first-rounders from the Packers and spinning it to the Seahawks in a deal that would bring DK Metcalf to New York.
The Jets have been rumored to be interested in a top-flight wideout since they apparently missed out on the Tyreek Hill sweepstakes, and with the Seahawks in a rebuild, Metcalf trade rumors have been flying for weeks. The Packers have the draft capital to bridge the gap, and they also might have the incentive to trade up for a dynamic playmaker to help out Aaron Rodgers following the departure of Davante Adams.
Garrett Wilson is perhaps the sexiest receiver prospect in his class, a speedster who has a good feel for the nuances of the position and who always seems to be open.
Pittsburgh Steelers acquire 11th overall pick from Washington Commanders, select Liberty QB Malik Willis
Steelers get: Pick no. 11
Commanders get: Picks no. 20, 52
The Steelers seem to have been searching for their quarterback of the future for at least a couple years. Willis is something of a polarizing prospect, generally regarded as the best QB in a relatively weak class. It's conceivable that he's still on the board when the Steelers are slated to pick at No. 20, but it's also possible he's gone in the top 10, with the Panthers and Falcons looking like potential landing spots in the top 10.
If Willis makes it out of the top 10, the Steelers could do worse than to make this deal and bring him into the fold. His athleticism and arm strength wowed scouts and pundits on his pro day, and there's a sense he could be set up for success by coming to a solid team with a good receiving corps, which the Steelers have.
For the Commanders, who are something in between a rebuild and win-now mode, moving back nine picks in the first round in exchange for a second-rounder is a nice deal.
Dallas Cowboys acquire 13th overall pick from Houston Texans, select Ohio State WR Chris Olave
Cowboys get: Pick no. 13
Texans get: Picks no. 24 and 56
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is already on the record saying his team is more likely to trade up than back. While wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup make for a nice 1-2 punch on paper, there's little doubt they could use another weapon in the pass-catching game following the departure of Amari Cooper. So, we have them trading up to select Chris Olave, a smooth, well-rounded receiver who has great body control and footwork.
The Texans have a ton of picks of their own plus the ones they recouped in the Deshaun Watson deal, but for the cost of moving back 11 spots on their second first-round pick, they can pick up an additional second-rounder, which would give them four selections in the top 56. That's a quick way of infusing some serious talent into the roster essentially overnight.
This story is sponsored by Moran Chevrolet.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
