The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching and the order of the 257 picks is set. Except that’s really not the case, as the draft often brings a flurry of moves from most of the league’s 32 teams. Many first-round selections could stay put as quarterback-needy clubs look to fill the top position, but just as many could be moved via trade.
Which teams are best suited to trade up, down, or just stay put? Here is our proposal for each team:
1. Bear – Stay put
With Justin Fields gone, it all depends on their ability to secure a difference-making quarterback position. And everything indicates that Caleb Williams could be that guy. Having another top-10 pick helps offset the appeal of a spicy trade.
They need a quarterback as much as anyone, but even if they’re slightly sold on more than one prospect not named Caleb Williams, it’s not worth getting cute with a move down . Get your man and live with your decision.
This is the rare draft where each of the top three teams clearly needs quarterbacks and clearly has the top three talents to choose from. The Pats, however, need to get the rest of their draft right to support their new signal-caller.
There’s a good chance they’ll get the first crack at the top receivers in this class, and Kyler Murray sorely needs a weapon. But in such a rich crop of pass catchers, they can afford to increase their draw by eliminating a few slots.
5. Chargers – Swap Down
Getting a top tackle or a wideout would be nice. Bolstering recruiting capital to rebuild a roster that lost key veterans due to financial constraints would be even sweeter. Jim Harbaugh must restore Justin Herbert’s foundation.
6. Giants – Trade Down
New York is in a tough situation, as it likely needs another quarterback while also having to fill many other holes. If they’re really sold on, say, JJ McCarthy and he’s on the board, it might be worth the gamble. Otherwise, they just need more dart throws.
7. Titans – Stay Put
After a surprisingly splashy offseason of spending on veterans, the Titans could now use a blue-chip staple, whether it’s a bookend to keep Will Levis upright or a corner to pair up with L’Jarius Sneed. They should be able to find one here.
8. Hawks – Trade Down
The arrival of Kirk Cousins means Atlanta is focused on winning as soon as possible, so staying up might make more sense. But their main needs – width, edge, corner – could all be met by a slight downward movement that would also generate additional swing.
9. Bear – Trade Down
Coming away with two top-10 prospects would be great, especially if it means pairing a new signal-caller with an elite pass-catching option like Rome Odunze. But they only have four choices totaland a slight drop could easily improve that.
10. Jets – Stay put
They’re in a strange position: They have to capitalize on the Aaron Rodgers window while envisioning a post-2024/Rodgers world. Probably the best way to do this is to sit back and get the best lineman or pass catcher available.
11. Vikings – Trade
There’s good reason to think they could stay put and still end up with a true starting quarterback (see: Michael Penix Jr.). But they added an extra choice for the first day to have flexibility. Might as well make sure we have their successor Kirk Cousins.
12. Broncos – Trade
You’ll notice a trend here, among these clubs in need of quarterbacks just outside the top 10: They’re all squarely in the market for a signal-caller, and yet not all of them have the money to sit around. Denver may be the most desperate.
13. Raiders – Trade
Could they hold on and wait to address the quarterback on Day 2, if the table falls unfavorably? Of course. But even a move up for a top-ranked corner or tackle prospect would be worth it under new full-time coach Antonio Pierce.
14. Saints – Trade Down
Nobody refuses to rebuild like the Saints, but that doesn’t mean they I should not be fashion-forward here. It’s very possible they give up a few spots while still filling needs like tackle and edge rusher.
15. Colts – Stay Put
A splashy move for another weapon to help Anthony Richardson would be fun, but the practical play is probably about letting the board spread out and getting the best perimeter player available, whether out wide or in the corner.
16. Seahawks – Trade Down
Seattle could be a sneaky candidate to move up or even sit back and use this pick on a successor to Geno Smith at quarterback, but without a second-rounder in their possession, they could answer calls about moving down the order.
17. Jaguars – Trade
Now is the time for action in Jacksonville, as the rest of the AFC South prepares for what is shaping up to be a very competitive race in 2024. Getting into the top 15 could help them secure one of the best cover or cover men still available.
18. Bengals – Stay Put
Any team in “win now” mode could be justified as a trade candidate, but we’re exactly at the point in the first round where the Bengals should be able to patiently lock down an interior defender, or even another tackle or wideout. receiver prospect.
19. Rams – Stay Put
The only spot they could really go after is Edge Rushers, but this year’s class isn’t necessarily required to leave the board early, so they should have options. They have an extra third round in case they need to jump.
A trade might be necessary to keep a top tackle or corner from slipping away from them, but they could also find good value at one of those spots, or in another area of need like a guard or receiver, while waiting for the END.
The interior line should be a priority, and most of the top prospects should still be available at this point in the prime. With no Day 2 picks available to them, they also can’t jump willy-nilly into the first round seeding.
22. Eagles – Trade
Howie Roseman loves to ride and trade on draft day, and again, it makes sense. The Eagles are trying to get back to the big play, and while they don’t have many glaring needs, a dramatic investment in a corner, tackle or edge could help.
23. Vikings – Stay Put
This choice is of course totally dependent on what happens with their No. 11 selection. There’s a good chance he could be traded to another team if Minnesota is looking to move into the top 10 or even the top five for a new quarterback.
24. Cowboys – Stay Put
A trade could be nice, considering Dallas has done surprisingly little to improve its unique roster compared to last season. But they’re not overflowing with extra trading capital either. Strengthening the O-line here seems like the right move.
25. Packers – Swap
Green Bay is an upstart contender after a strong finish through 2023 under new starting quarterback Jordan Love. Why not get aggressive to help his defensive support – or fortify the trenches – in anticipation of a deeper playoff run?
The Bucs return with Baker Mayfield and the gang. But they haven’t necessarily made major improvements on both sides of the ball. A move up could help them land a difference-making passer or cover man.
27. Cardinals – Stay put
This is another scenario where it all depends on their previous pick – in this case, No. 4 overall. If Arizona stays ahead, it would be a prime spot for a trade. Otherwise, why not leave with two first-round talents?
28. Bills – Swap
A trade down is just as feasible, given that Buffalo jettisoned so many proven veterans to cut costs this offseason. But they need some juice after stripping Josh Allen of his weapons. A move towards a new extension would help achieve this.
29. Lions – Trading Down
Advancing is certainly possible considering they’re in title fight mode, but with no picks for a long stretch between rounds 3 and 5, a slight drop could help them add a Day 2 pick and round out points like the corner and the pass pass.
30. Crows – Stay put
As with most teams backs here, a trade would also make sense, if they have a specific playmaker in mind. Either way, it would be nice to have another outlet for Lamar Jackson given the question marks at wide receiver.
31. 49ers – Stay put
Perhaps no team benefits from a more complete and balanced roster, even after a Super Bowl loss. By staying up, they could still end up with quality depth up front or in the secondary, where they could use some additional corner/safety depth.
32. Chefs – Swap
All of a sudden, even after Marquise Brown’s arrival, they might need another investment globally with Rashee Rice facing legal issues. There’s also a corner where L’Jarius Sneed’s exit leaves a vacancy opposite Trent McDuffie.
