Trades at the top of the NFL draft bring the most interest and intrigue, but teams have stayed away from moving early first-round picks in recent years.
Just seven trades involving top-seven picks have occurred in the past seven drafts -- with four of those swaps finalized weeks before the event. The four pre-draft deals include:
- The Jets acquiring the No. 3 overall pick from the Colts in the 2018 draft (which they eventually used on QB Sam Darnold);
- The 49ers swinging a deal with the Dolphins to move up to No. 3 overall in 2021 (QB Trey Lance);
- The Dolphins, after moving down from No. 3 to No. 12 overall in their trade with San Francisco, climbing back up the board the same day to secure the No. 6 selection (WR Jaylen Waddle);
- The Panthers trading a trove of assets to the Bears for the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 (QB Bryce Young).
The three draft-day trades involving top-seven selections occurred in 2018, when the Bills moved up to No. 7 overall (QB Josh Allen), and in 2023, when the Texans acquired the No. 3 overall pick (Edge Will Anderson Jr.) from the Cardinals for the 12th overall selection, which Arizona then included in a deal with the Lions to climb back up the board to No. 6 (OT Paris Johnson Jr.).
In four of the last six drafts, the first trade involving a Round 1 selection occurred at or after the team picking 10th overall was on the clock. The six trades below continue this trend, with the first deal happening at Pick 12. The trade terms are based on traditional charts that assign numerical values to each draft pick based on historical data. Trade compensation will vary, however, based on how competitive I think teams will be at a specific slot (which drives up the price) and whether I think a team might value extra selections more than a Day 1 pick.
So, without further ado, here are the six trades involving Round 1 selections that I could see happening between now and the end of Day 1 of the 2025 draft on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Broncos receive:
- No. 12 overall pick (Round 1)
- No. 149 (Round 5)
Cowboys receive:
- No. 20 overall (Round 1)
- No. 51 overall (Round 2)
Broncos head coach Sean Payton signed tight end Evan Engram in free agency to improve depth at the position, but he should make another bold move for a tight end with two elite talents available in this year’s draft class. Whether it's the do-everything, big-bodied Tyler Warren, or the quick-footed, sure-handed Colston Loveland, the Broncos would do well to jump ahead of Miami and Indianapolis if to improve their chances of landing their first choice. Payton could also be interested in top wideouts Matthew Golden or Tetairoa McMillan if Courtland Sutton is not in the team's plan past his upcoming contract season.
The Cowboys could move down for the third time in five years if running back Ashton Jeanty is not available when Dallas is on the clock at No. 12 overall. The Cowboys landed star defender Micah Parsons in 2021 after trading with the Eagles, and last year, they grabbed left tackle Tyler Guyton after a swap with Detroit. The Cowboys could stand pat and pick Golden or McMillan at 12, too, but a mid-second-round selection may be enough to induce a drop down the board. Golden or Emeka Egbuka could be available at No. 20, as could another well-regarded back in Omarion Hampton.
Cardinals receive:
- No. 13 overall pick (Round 1)
- No. 135 overall (Round 4, compensatory selection)
Dolphins receive:
- No. 16 overall pick (Round 1)
- No. 78 overall (Round 3)
The Cardinals’ trade for Paris Johnson Jr. two years ago displayed their willingness to pay a price to improve their offensive line. In this scenario, they jump ahead of Indianapolis and other teams looking to move up for top OL prospects, such as Kelvin Banks Jr., Will Campbell or Armand Membou. Any of these three would provide depth for Arizona this year and be able to step in if right tackle Jonah Williams departs as a free agent after the 2025 season.
Miami possesses seven Day 3 selections, so sending one of them to Arizona to secure a Day 2 pick (while moving down just three spots in Round 1) seems reasonable. There will likely still be a worthy defensive back (Jahdae Barron, Nick Emmanwori), offensive lineman (Banks, Tyler Booker), defensive lineman (Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen) or tight end (Colston Loveland) available at No. 16.
Packers receive:
- No. 19 overall (Round 1)
- No. 157 overall (Round 5)
Buccaneers receive:
- No. 23 overall (Round 1)
- No. 87 overall (Round 3)
Although the Packers made the playoffs with an 11-6 record last season, they finished third in the NFC North and were one-and-done in postseason play. Shoring up a couple of roster spots through the draft could help them return to the top of the division and clinch them their first home playoff game since 2021. To secure one of this year's top CBs (Jahdae Barron), WRs (Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden) or edge defenders (Donovan Ezeiruaku, Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Mykel Williams) -- whomever from their wish list is still available at No. 19 overall -- the Pack put in a call to their former NFC Central rival to climb up a few rungs on the first-round ladder.
Tampa Bay could stay put and take one of those pass-rush options. But it'd be hard for the Bucs to pass up an opportunity to convert one of their three Day 3 selections into a Day 2 pick, especially considering they'd likely still have a shot at one of those edge defenders or a new star for the secondary at Pick 23. General manager Jason Licht could then use his improved draft capital to move up in Round 2, as he did twice in the past three drafts (Luke Goedeke in 2022; Cody Mauch in 2023).
Bills receive:
- No. 24 overall pick (Round 1)
Vikings receive:
- No. 30 overall (Round 1)
- No. 109 overall (Round 4, from CHI)
- No. 132 overall (Round 4)
The Bills have been aggressive in the first round in recent years, trading up for Josh Allen, tight end Dalton Kincaid and cornerback Kaiir Elam. They have seven Day 3 picks to use to jump up the board for a game-changing talent -- one who might even get them over the hump and into the Super Bowl. In this scenario, I could see them targeting a receiver (Isaiah Bond or Emeka Egbuka), defensive tackle (Kenneth Grant or Derrick Harmon) or secondary help (Nick Emmanwori or Azareye'h Thomas).
The Vikings head into the draft with just four picks because of various trades, including one for edge rusher Dallas Turner in last year's first round. Buffalo, Philadelphia and other teams aware of that fact might be hounding general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for the 24th pick. Minnesota adds two fourth-round selections to its war chest is still be able to select a much-needed defensive back at 30th overall.
Eagles receive:
- No. 26 overall pick (Round 1)
- No. 190 overall (Round 6, from ATL)
Rams receive:
- No. 32 overall (Round 1)
- No. 96 overall (Round 3)
- No. 168 (Round 5)
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman took a year off from trading up in the first round in 2024. ... Can he really stop himself from getting back in the mix this April? Maybe. But I wouldn't be surprised if he climbs the board for one of this year's top receivers or to add more pieces to Philly's stellar defensive line. The Day 2 pick he'd send to L.A. wouldn't be a deterrent because he could pick up more assets in separate deals later during the weekend.
Rams GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay have had a ton of success finding contributors on Days 2 and 3, so securing extra capital while only moving down six slots could be right in their wheelhouse. L.A. is positioned to take the best available player at the end of the first round, though I imagine they'll have their eye on which DBs are still available at No. 32.
Chiefs receive:
- No. 27 overall pick (Round 1)
- No. 136 overall (Round 4, compensatory selection)
Ravens receive:
- No. 31 overall (Round 1)
- No. 95 overall (Round 3)
The Chiefs will likely be looking to bolster their offensive and defensive lines early in April's draft to avoid being dominated in the trenches as they were in Super Bowl LIX. Exchanging mid-round picks with the Ravens would increase their chances of landing defensive tackle Walter Nolen, to play beside All-Pro Chris Jones, or an offensive linemen, such as Tyler Booker, Aireontae Ersery, Jonah Savaiinaea or Grey Zabel.
The Ravens have a strong roster, so some of their eight Day 3 picks could have a tough time making the squad. But by turning one of those picks into a Day 2 selection, Baltimore could improve its chances of finding a guy who will earn a roster spot when the season starts. The Ravens have had recent success addressing needs even after falling back a few spots, picking up center Tyler Linderbaum after a two-slot drop in 2022 and receiver Hollywood Brown in a three-spot move in 2019. Watch for the team to lock up a defensive back or one of the top remaining offensive linemen after the trade.
