2014 NFL Draft: 5 Draft Day Trades That Could Go Down |

2014 NFL Draft: 5 Draft Day Trades That Could Go Down

The 2014 NFL Draft hasn’t even started and we’re all pretty sure we’re going crazy. That, or we’re about to. The NFL pushing the draft back to May 8th certainly didn’t help, while the media has been spewing countless draft day trade rumors and player stock fluctuation at a record rate.

With the draft just a day away, let’s try to filter through all the smokescreens and see what trades actually could happen. Here are five draft day trades we shouldn’t be shocked to see on Thursday night:

1. Houston Texans Trade Down With Atlanta Falcons

Reports suggest the Texans won’t make a push for the #1 overall pick, but they’re still in play to make a move considering how aggressive they’ve been in the past. Houston doesn’t see elated with the top pick, either. The Texans will be completely fine with taking Jadeveon Clowney first overall, but if the Falcons offer the right package, they’ll gladly drop down to six and land either Khalil Mack or Johnny Football.

2. St. Louis Rams Trade Down With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Rams clearly want to be swept off their feet with trade offers. Tampa Bay might be their best shot. The Bucs are interested in three positions with this trade: quarterback, defensive end and wide receiver. Once they swing this trade, they’ll decide who they want between Johnny Manziel, Khalil Mack and Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans. The Rams just want more picks, otherwise they’ll sit tight end take the best player available.

3. Cleveland Browns Trade Down With Detroit Lions

The Browns won’t take Johnny Manziel at the #4 spot, and unless Sammy Watkins falls into their lap, they might want out of this pick. Detroit wants Watkins or Mike Evans, and they’ve been rumored to want to move up.

Cleveland has a new regime making decisions, so they might find more value with extra picks, while sliding down to Detroit’s 10 spot isn’t that big of a fall. Considering they already have a second first round pick, trading down only strengthens their chances at a solid draft.

4. Tennessee Titans Trade Down With New York Jets

This is a trade that isn’t even a rumor, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see it happen. The Titans are at a tough spot at the #11 pick, as they basically can take an elite corner or reach for someone else. With corner being relatively deep in the first two tiers, why not trade down and acquire more picks?

New York, on the other hand, badly wants a stud corner and also could be in play for a big time target for the passing game. Tennessee’s new regime gets an extra pick or two, while Rex Ryan chases after the likes of Justin Gilbert or Odell Beckham. It’s a win-win.

5. Oakland Raiders Trade Down With San Francisco 49ers

True, this one might be the craziest, but in a lot of ways it makes complete sense. For one, the Raiders don’t really want to be forced to take a quarterback at the #5 overall pick and they might not be able to get the stud they want there, either.

Trading down gives GM Reggie McKenzie more picks to work with, while the 49ers are so well built they can afford to send 2-3 picks to Oakland to take a quantum leap all the way from the 30th pick. There they can try to land an impact wide receiver for when Anquan Boldin retires.