NFL Draft Day 2: Trade Up/Down Scenarios
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer after Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) is selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
One thing that we can all agree on from Day 1 of the NFL Draft, and what seems like Day 1 of the Ray Farmer/Mike Pettine regime, free agency was pre-season this year at some level, is that they are not afraid to make moves on draft day. So with the NFL Draft Day 2 upon us, excited to be there again live in person, this time down in front, we want to take a look at a few Trade Up and Down Scenarios that could occur on Day 2.
Trade Down
The Browns still have needs to be addressed, most significantly is wide receiver, inside linebacker, free safety and offensive line. Chris covered many of them earlier today, click here to see his list. The Browns have 1 pick in the in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, both their own, as well as 2 picks in the 4th, none in the 5th and one each in the 6th and 7th. They have good high picks in each round which puts them in prime position to get the player they want, or to trade back with someone desperately trying to move up.
Added Picks This Year
First and foremost the Browns will look to add picks to this year’s haul. The Browns are in ripe position for a team wanting to trade up for a QB or WR. Teams like the Bucs and Titans could look to move ahead of the Raiders to get Derek Carr. That could gain the Browns at least an extra 3rd round pick to add back to their cupboard. With the Raiders likely to take a QB the Browns are in the prime position to auction off the pick. With the Bucs they would fall back only 3 spots while the Titans would be 7. Adding another 3rd rounder for that small of a drop would be worth it, if they have plenty of options on their board.
The other possibility is with a team with a ton of picks looking to move up to get “their guy.” Specifically we are looking at the 49ers who added another safety in the first round but have not addressed their need at cornerback or at wide receiver. If there is a player that they like and want to move all the way up the board from their first 2nd rounder at 24 it will be costly. The Browns will at least demand both of the 9ers second round picks, 24 and 29 plus maybe one of the 9ers extra 5ths. For San Fran, who doesn’t have a ton of roster spots available, the right player would make that trade well worth it and the Browns should jump.
Added Picks Next Year
The Browns could instead look to add to their haul for next year instead. Like they did with the Bills the Browns could add a pick in next year’s draft while sliding down the board some. A second round pick often draws next year’s first plus something this year. For the Browns, in this great draft, moving out of the 2nd, or far down it, for another first might seem like a bit much. Could they get the 9ers two 3rd round picks plus their next year’s 1? The difference with this front office seems to be a plan. Last year’s FO moved out of the draft for a higher round, which happens in the 4th and 5th. Yet in the 1st and 2nd the team should demand higher ransom and could leave with picks for next year as well as at least a 3rd or 4th rounder this year. May not make fans happy but, especially the 9ers trade proposed, could be great for both the short and long term goals of the team.
Trading Up
The Browns could also move up on Day 2. Not from #35, most likely. They can sit still and let the draft come to them. With so much talent on the board moving up 1 or 2 picks seems fruitless. Instead the Browns could move up from the 3rd and back into the second if a player they love is falling. The Browns could package their 3rd and 4th round picks to get back into the mid to late 2nd. They could take a offensive lineman they liked up top and then come back in for a receiver, or vice versa. In this method the Browns would be consoldating their picks for high quality players instead of depth. Something that seems to be missing in most Browns drafts in the past. More picks are good but better players are better.
The other possible way to get back into the second is to move one of their 2 first round picks in next year’s draft. Like they did last year, but in reverse, the Browns could trade a first for a second. So instead of consolidating they work from the future to get something in the present. They likely could of gotten the Bills second rounder if this was a goal of theirs. Could they instead move their own pick and bet on themselves? Would adding a mid rounder in the 2nd be worth it? Could a team building for the future want to add a pick next year instead, much like the Browns did?
Which do you prefer? Give me your best trade proposal.