NFL Draft drama is heating up and so are trade rumors.
The Arizona Cardinals were all over the trade chatter this week, with the rebuilding franchise linked to a potential move of the prized No. 4 overall pick.
With Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy expected to dominate the top of the draft in a quarterback-heavy first round, teams could either jump up or trade back, depending on QB needs.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network analyst, said there are two teams that stand out for potential first-round trades.
“I think the two teams that are the most likely would be the (Minnesota) Vikings and the (New York) Giants,” Jeremiah exclusively told talkSPORT.
Minnesota recently moved on from Kirk Cousins.
The Vikings are unsettled at QB entering the draft but have All-Pro Justin Jefferson at wide receiver and still hold playoff expectations.
The Giants have Daniel Jones at QB but recently lost Saquon Barkley to Philadelphia in free agency.
New York could move on from Jones after several disappointing seasons and injury issues.
But Jeremiah added there was one surprise team that could jump forward in the first round.
“I wouldn’t sleep on the (Las Vegas) Raiders,” Jeremiah said. “Where the Raiders are at 13, a little bit of a transition there.
“You get a first time, full time head coaching job there for Antonio Pierce after taking over. Tom Telesco coming in, a first-year general manager. A lot of times, those moves are associated with the new quarterback.
“They’ve got Aidan O’Connell there, they brought in Gardner Minshew. But I would not put it past them at all. Especially if New England wanted to jump out of three, I would think the Raiders could put together a compelling argument to go up there and get their quarterback of the future.”
Jeremiah added that his ranking of the best draft QBs is Williams, Maye and Daniels.
If his prediction comes true, that could put the Raiders in line to take Daniels at No. 3.
“(Maye) is a little bit bigger, he’s just a little sturdier in there. I think he’s got a little bit more arm strength,” Jeremiah said. “I think he’s a little more creative as a playmaker and being able to extend and buy time and still make plays.
“Where as I think Jayden, he’s a better athlete – he’s an unbelievable athlete. He’s a really good runner. But I don’t see him as the same play creator as Drake Maye is, so there’s a little difference there.
“Jayden is coming off a much better season. Jayden had the best season of any quarterback in the class if you just watch this year. But he also played behind a really good offensive line and threw to a bunch of big-time receivers, and that was a luxury that Caleb didn’t really have at USC this year and Drake Maye definitely did not have at North Carolina.
“So that would be my order: Caleb, then Drake and then Jayden Daniels.”
The NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit.
Chicago is expected to take Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.
News Summary:
- ‘Don’t sleep’ on this surprise team that could trade up into the first round for a QB and shake up the NFL Draft
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.