Spinnable Sports Your Sports, Our Spin
Now that we have officially entered Draft Week, one thing is certain, picks will be traded. In a way, hearing Roger Goodell announce there has been a trade and anxiously waiting for the terms is appointment viewing. The most notorious trade was when Coach Ditka and the New Orleans Saints gave up all of their picks to draft Ricky Williams. I highly doubt we’ll see anything equal to that, but there will be action.
I am going to look at every pick in the first round and discuss if the current team will trade the pick or select a player.
RD 1 Pick 1: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
There isn’t a clear cut, can’t miss number 1 overall player that would entice a franchise to pony up for this pick. Obviously, every team evaluates players and arranges their draft board in different ways, which could spur action. At this moment, i believe the Jags will use their arsenal of picks to add more 2nd/3rd Rd picks, but stay put at number 1 to select Aiden Hutchinson.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 Pick 2: DETROIT LIONS
This is an easy call, the Lions are drafting Hutchinson (if not selected before), Trayvon Walker or Sauce Gardner.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 Pick 3: HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans need help all across the roster, which does open the door to accumulate additional picks in 2022 and beyond. They could trade down from 3 to add to the assets they acquired by dealing Watson to Cleveland. I think that in the end, they select Sauce Gardner to help with Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 defense or draft a franchise tackle in Evan Neal.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 Pick 4: NEW YORK JETS
The Jets have 2 Top 10 selections, which gives them a huge opportunity to build depth around Zach Wilson. The Jets will use this pick to draft Derek Stingley Jr or Kyle Hamilton.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 Pick 5: NEW YORK GIANTS
This becomes an interesting spot with the Panthers at 6 as well as owing the 7th overall. Are the Saints sold on Kenny Pickett, Willis or Ridder to become the longterm QB option? Are the Falcons, Seahawks or Steelers feeling the same way? The Panthers publicly declared Sam Darnold their QB in an attempt to squash rumors, but they spent over a year trying to pry Watson from Houston. To add some spice, i say the Giants TRADE this pick to the Saints.
DECISION: TRADE TO SAINTS
RD 1 Pick 6: CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Panthers need a QB, but i think they sit back to see if Jimmy G or Baker become available. The Panthers also need help on the offensive line, so they stay put to take Charles Cross.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 Pick 7: NEW YORK GIANTS
With the trade back at 5, Dave Gettleman drafts the best pass rusher left on the board.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 Pick 8: ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons just traded Matt Ryan and have 2 playmakers in PItts and Patterson. I highly doubt they are ready to contend for the NFC South title, but there are questions in Carolina and New Orleans, not to mention the TB12 timetable. The Falcons could go OLine, WR , QB or Pass Rusher, but another option is to trade back to a contender looking for a WR. This seems like a great place for the Green Bay Packers to come calling. The Packers have been targeting wide receivers and have 11 picks to work with.
DECISION: TRADE 8th & 151st overall to the PACKERS for the 22nd, 53rd, 92nd 171st, and 249th overall picks and PACKERS draft Chris Olave or Drake London.
RD 1 PICK 9: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
It is obvious that the Seahawks are in a full rebuild after trading Wilson and releasing Wagner. This could be another option for the Packers to trade up since the Seahawks need picks, maybe even include current backup QB Jordan Love. If the Packers don’t come calling, i see the Seahawks drafting a lineman, pass rusher or Stingley / Gardner if they fell.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 10: NEW YORK JETS
It’s no secret that the Jets need playmakers. Robert Salah and OC Matt LaFleur are former assistants under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. Current 49er Deebo Samuel wants to be traded. This deal gets done, possibly even before the draft starts on Thursday night.
DECISION: TRADED to San Francisco for WR Deebo Samuel.
RD 1 PICK 11: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
This team has needs across the board. In addition to the overall depth, their best player, Terry McLaurin wants a new contract. With players coming down the draft board, i think they stay put and take the best available.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 12: MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings offense has playmakers all over. They added Za’Darius Smith from Green Bay to increase the pass rush, leaving the only hole at defensive back. They jump on the best corner available unless an elite offensive tackle falls.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 13: HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans need help everywhere on the roster. If they go Neal at 3, then i see this pick as a pass rusher or wide receiver. If they go the cornerback direction at 3, then this is offensive line or wide receiver.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 14: BALTIMORE RAVENS
This team was crushed by injuries in 2021. Even with depth concerns, they still took the Packers and Super Bowl Champion Rams to the brink. Looking past the Lamar Jackson contract situation, this team needs a playmaker at wide receiver, a franchise left tackle and secondary help. They are going to have a nice draft board when this pick arrives.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 15: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The NFC East is a winnable division and let’s not forget that this was a 2021 playoff team. They also have the 18th overall pick. I could see this pick being used as trade bait for the Packers, Chiefs, Bills, or Patriots to jump the Saints and Chargers for a wide receiver.
DECISION: TRADE to the CHIEFS
RD 1 PICK 16: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
If they aren’t successful in using this pick to move up with the Giants, then they draft the best available. If they do trade this to the Giants, then they have a great chance to grab defensive depth here.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 17: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
This team is in win now mode. They grab the best available here. Protecting Herbert is essential as well as secondary help considering Mahomes, Carr and Wilson are in the division. The Chargers could be a sleeper team to trade up.
DECISION: DRAFT with a slight chance to trade up.
RD 1 PICK 18: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Eagles keep this pick to select Nakobe Dean or an interior offensive lineman since this is Jason Kelce’s final rodeo.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 19: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints keep this pick and select the best available player.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 20: PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers would love for Big Ben’s heir apparent to fall to 20. If so, this pick is the local QB Kenny Pickett. The Steelers need a QB unless they truly think Mitch Trubisky is the present and future. Either way, the Steelers draft here. If the Packers have been unsuccessful to trade up at this point and a WR they covet is on the board, they could move up 2 spots to jump the receiver needy Patriots.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 21: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
One thing that Bill does a lot is trade back to acquire picks. I think he bucks the trend and drafts here or packages this pick to move up.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 22: GREEN BAY PACKERS
I fully expect the Packers to trade this pick in an effort to move up for a receiver. Whoever gets this pick from the Packers will have a nice array to select from. If Green Bay is making this pick, it’s Treylon Burks, George Pickens or Chris Olave.
DECISION: TRADED to move up
RD 1 PICK 23: ARIZONA CARDINALS
This is a drama filled franchise at the moment. I see them staying put to select a lineman. Thry need help in the trenches. Devonte Wyatt and Zion Johnson are names to remember here.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 24: DALLAS COWBOYS
This is another franchise that has multiple directions it can go. They traded Amari Cooper and have seen a few starters on the OLine depart. This is separate from the rumors that surround the team about Head Coach Mike McCarthy and Sean Payton. I think the Cowboys stay put and start to rebuild the offensive line.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 25: BUFFALO BILLS
The Bills are a Super Bowl contender. This team lacks a running game and could use a receiver to pair with Diggs and Davis. The other immediate need is interior defensive line help, so that is also an option. The Bills won’t be trading up, but if the Lions or Jags were looking to move up, this could be in play to trade.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 26: TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans need receiver help to pair with AJ Brown or replace him if traded. The Titans also have needs at pass rusher and OLine, so this pick is critical for a playoff team.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 27: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bucs have a very veteran team that has one thing on it’s mind, Super Bowl. Tompa Bay needs to replace the void on both lines, so that should be the focus. TB12 didn’t return to be complacent, so i see them being aggressive. They will use this pick to move up for one of the Georgia Defensive Lineman or Linderbaum out of Iowa.
DECISION: TRADED to move up
RD 1 PICK 28: GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Pack will use this pick for an edge rusher or offensive lineman. It would be amazing to see them double down and take a second wide receiver here.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 29: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Like we saw with the Packers, I think Kansas City packages this pick to move up and find Tyreek Hill’s replacement.
DECISION: TRADED to move up
RD 1 PICK 30: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs use this pick to add depth a defensive back like Lewis Cine or Daxton Hill.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 31: CINCINNATI BENGALS
Joe Burrow needs protection. The Bengals were aggressive in free agency adding a few pieces to protect Joey B. This pick could be the final addition, especially if Linderbaum (Iowa), Johnson (BC) or Green ( Texas A&M) are on the board. Another option is to continue to find playmakers on defense.
DECISION: DRAFT
RD 1 PICK 32: DETROIT LIONS
A team in full rebuild mode needs additional picks. If the Lions have their QB here, do they take him or trade 32 to gather more picks, knowing they have the 2nd pick in Round 2? If a team like the Indianapolis Colts desire a player on the board, i could see them offering their 2nd and 3rd to trade up to 32.
DECISION: TRADE
Draft trades are so much fun and instant entertainment. I hope we see a ton of moving and shaking on draft night.
