(03-04-2018, 10:05 PM)Bullseye Wrote: Examining the bottom of the first round/top of the second round, the draft order currently looks like this:

29.  Jaguars
30.  Vikings
31.  Patriots
32.  Eagles

2nd round

33.  Browns
34.  Giants
35.  Browns (from Houston)
36.  Colts
37.  N.Y. Jets
38.  Bucs
39.  Bears
40.  Denver
41.  Raiders

I think if the Jaguars are prioritizing adding a TE and they like one or more of the prospects, then trading back into the 2nd round could be a viable strategy.

At the bottom of the first round, the Vikings have Kyle Rudolph at the position, and he caught 57 passes last year.  Behind them are the Pats, who have Gronk, who appears to be returning for another year, and the Eagles, who have Ertz.

At the top of the 2nd round, the Browns have picks 33 and 35, and they just took Njoku with one of their three first round picks last year, so it is doubtful they would spend another first round pick on one this year.  The Giants spent their first round pick last year on TE Even Engram.  Again, I don't see them taking a TE this year.  Now they might be a candidate to trade up for a QB if they decided to go Saquan Barkley 2nd overall, but I don't see them taking another TE so soon.

The Colts, having lost Dwayne Allen and Cody Fleener, are a possibility to take a TE at the top of the 2nd, so theoretically they are a threat to possibly trade up to get one, or to take one ahead of us if we traded down to the Jets pick.  Immediately behind the Jets are the Bucs and Bears, who took TEs in the first and second rounds respectively last year, so it is unlikely either would spend a 2nd round pick on that position this year.  Denver spent a 4th round pick on Jake Butt last year, who was carrying a first or second round grade prior to blowing out his knee in the bowl game.  To me, the biggest threat to trade up above the Jets pick would be the Dolphins at pick 42.

The scenario gets a little more precarious when it comes to QB.

Behind us at the bottom of the first round, the Vikings appear to be ready to jettison all three of their QBs, and are likely to be huge players in the Cousins sweepstakes.  But until it resolves that way, it's possible they may bring a guy like Keenum back, and draft a QB to groom to replace him as a fall back.  The Pats are likely in the market for a QB to replace Brady long term.

At the top of the 2nd round, it is likely the Browns would have presumably addressed their QB position by this point, either through free agency or the draft, if not both.  They would not be likely to draft a passer at this point.  The possibility is strong the Giants will have addressed QB with the 2nd overall pick, but if they decide to go Barkley at two, you can bet they might be in the market for the long term replacement for Manning at this point, possibly trading up if Rudolph is their guy.  Indy could go QB at this point if there is lingering uncertainty regarding Luck's shoulder.   The Jets are presumably another contender for Cousins.  Naturally, if they land him, he is not a threat to take a QB in the draft.  If not, if the guy they want at the top of the first is gone, certainly they could make a play for a guy at the bottom of the first and top of the 2nd.  Three of the next four teams (Bucs, Bears and Raiders) are presumably set at QB for another year.  The one team in that group that isn't set at QB is Denver, who is another Cousins contender.  But if they miss out on Cousins, they are in a decent position to land one of the top three QBs at #5 overall.  Miami would be another threat to use this pick to take a QB after them.

Wide Receiver is another position that, due to the circumstances surrounding who is picking around us, could enable us to trade back, although there seems to be some greater uncertainty surrounding it.  The last three teams behind us in the first round draft order could all possibly draft a WR in the first round.  LaQuon Treadwell has been a bust for Minnesota so far, but Theilen has come on strong for the Vikings.  Still, they could add a guy to that group.  I'm guessing New England, if they stand pat, would likely go defense with their first round pick if they don't take Brady's replacement or deal back.  They have Brandin Cooks who has speed galore and Chris Hogan, who has size and can get deep too.  But Danny Amendola will be 33 next year, and former busts Kenny Britt and Phillip Dorsett added nothing.  The champion Eagles have to re-sign Alshon Jeffrey, and if they can't, will have to add a guy to replace him.  At the top of the second, Cleveland appears set at the position with recent first round pick Corey Coleman and former suspended player Josh Gordon, who seems to have replicated his pre suspension form.  The Giants have OBJ.  Indy?  Certainly they could take someone to upgrade Donte Moncrief and supplement T.Y Hilton to give Luck (if he returns) some useful weapons, but I would think they need more help in the trenches.   But the Jets, Broncos, bears and Raiders could all use WRs and could all conceivably trade up to get one they covet.