The NFL Draft is often the most effective way for a team to position itself for success in the future, but general managers can take several different approaches to achieving this goal.
Although it might not be the most exciting method from a fan perspective, trading down in the draft offers a number of advantages to building a roster.
With that in mind, here are five teams that should consider trading down in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills (No. 28 overall)
Given that its receiving corps has its share of concerns, Buffalo should prioritize adding a wideout early in the draft. While the 2024 class is loaded with talent at the position, taking a wide receiver like Oregon’s Troy Franklin or Florida State’s Keon Coleman at No. 28 would be a reach.
Nonetheless, either of those wideouts would be excellent values in the second round, though they might not be available when Buffalo is on the clock at Pick 60.
Moving back into the top half of the second round and acquiring more draft capital could be the best course of action. Plus, after their recent wave of cuts, the Bills would benefit from more cost-affordable contracts to round out the roster as they continue to improve their financial situation.
Miami Dolphins (No. 21 overall)
Miami only has six picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is tied for the third-fewest among teams. The legal tampering hasn’t been kind to Miami, particularly on defense, with several key contributors agreeing to deals elsewhere, but GM Chris Grier should bolster his offensive line through the draft.
Luckily for the Dolphins, this year’s crop of offensive line prospects makes up one of the deepest position groups in the draft.
This could ultimately provide Miami with the flexibility to move out of the first round and acquire a second-rounder and a few mid-round picks while still being able to add more protection for QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Seattle Seahawks (No. 16 overall)
The Seahawks’ bold move to acquire defensive lineman Leonard Williams at the trade deadline in an attempt to make the playoffs didn’t pan out, and now the team is without a 2024 second-round pick.
Despite the possibility of landing a formidable edge-rusher like UCLA’s Laiatu Latu for new HC Mike Macdonald’s defense, Seattle should strongly consider moving down into the 20s to recoup assets.
Even though this hypothetical deal likely wouldn’t net the Seahawks a second-rounder, Philadelphia’s 22nd overall pick could be a solid selection to trade down for.
In turn, Seattle would still be in a position to land an edge-rusher such as Penn State’s Chop Robinson, or it could ultimately decide to keep Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. in the state.
Denver Broncos (No. 12 overall)
With no clear path to a long-term answer at quarterback, Denver should probably try to trade up to secure one. However, should the Broncos be unable to package the draft choices acquired in the recent Jerry Jeudy trade to move up, they shouldn’t stay put at Pick 12.
Even after trading Jeudy, the Broncos only have eight picks in April’s draft and none in the second round. If they don’t want to wait for 64 picks between their first and second selections, trading back could net the Broncos a much-needed second-rounder to potentially select Oregon QB Bo Nix and ease their difficult salary cap situation.
Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5 overall)
Although it’s tempting to draft another weapon for QB Justin Herbert, the Chargers have an array of needs that will be difficult to address in their current state, as they boast the NFL’s worst cap situation (-$21.1M).
Los Angeles could net a significant haul for the fifth overall pick, especially if a quarterback-needy team has its sights set on a particular prospect.
Trading down to the middle of the first round and selecting a tackle like Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga to replace RT Trey Pipkins III could be an ideal scenario for Los Angeles. After all, Pipkins allowed the fourth-most sacks among NFL offensive linemen in 2023 (nine), whereas Fuaga has surrendered just 23 pressures and no sacks over the last three seasons.
