When the New York Jets traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, it took the Panthers out of the quarterback draft market. It also guaranteed the first three picks of the 2021 NFL Draft are going to be quarterbacks. However, will the Atlanta Falcons select a quarterback with the fourth overall pick? Possibly, but they are open to trading the pick, according to reports. If you are a team in need of a quarterback, the Falcons should be your first call. However, which teams could potentially trade up to the fourth overall pick? Let’s take a look at five potential trade partners.
With teams locked into the first three overall picks, the Atlanta Falcons now have received trade calls from multiple teams and “are open to moving” out of the No. 4 spot, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2021
Denver Broncos
It has been no secret this offseason that the Broncos want to add competition to the quarterback room. Drew Lock has flashed potential in his two-year career but has dealt with injuries and interception problems. Reports are the Broncos are on Deshaun Watson’s trade destination list. However, between the Houston Texans refusing to take calls on him and Watson’s current situation off the field, trading for him seems unlikely this year. Meanwhile, the Broncos feel they have a Super Bowl ready roster and only need better quarterback play to make a run. Trading up for a rookie could be the final piece they need for a Super Bowl run or the final piece the Broncos need to work out a trade for Watson in the coming months.
Potential Trade Offer: Broncos trade picks 9, 71, 2022 first-rounder for picks 4, 148.
New England Patriots
Even though the Patriots re-signed Cam Newton last month, it was only for one year. The Patriots are still looking for their replacement for Tom Brady and could find them in this draft. Usually, the Patriots don’t invest high draft capital on the quarterback position. The last time they used a first-round pick on a quarterback was Drew Bledsoe in 1993. However, the Patriots have changed their entire mindset this offseason, spending plenty of money in free agency. The Patriots have two star cornerbacks in Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson, and the Falcons need help at cornerback. The advantage the Patriots have over other teams is the ability to send back a Pro Bowl player along with draft picks.
Potential Trade Offer: Patriots trade picks 15, 2022 first-rounder, Jackson or Gilmore for picks 4, 108.
Washington Football Team
After winning the NFC East last year, Washington has been aggressive in free agency, adding veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to their quarterback room. They have also signed Curtis Samuel, finally giving Terry McLaurin a running mate on the other side. However, they still don’t have their franchise quarterback on the roster. Washington has a history of being aggressive moving up in the draft, including in 2012. That year, they traded two future first-round picks and a second-round pick to move up four spots to select Robert Griffin III. If they want to get up to the fourth pick, they will need to offer a similar deal. The good news is Washington is a quarterback away from being the best team in the division.
Potential Trade Offer: Washington trades picks 19, 51, 2022 first and fourth-rounder for picks 4, 148.
Los Angeles Chargers
Let’s say no quarterback-needy teams are willing to pay the massive price to trade up; who else could move up? The Chargers have been aggressive in rebuilding their offensive line in free agency, adding Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler, and Oday Aboushi. However, the Chargers need to upgrade over Trey Pipkins at left tackle. Justin Herbert and Penei Sewell were teammates at Oregon. Recently Sewell said it would be a dream to play with Herbert again. Despite a deep offensive tackle class, the Chargers could continue their aggressive offseason streak and move up ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals for the best offensive tackle in the draft. However, the Chargers could also move up to the fourth pick and give Herbert a replacement for Hunter Henry in Kyle Pitts.
Potential Trade Offer: Chargers trade picks 13, 47, 2022 third-rounder for pick 4.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been wheeling and dealing this offseason, moving down from the third pick to the 12th pick, only to move back up to the sixth pick, all within 30 minutes. By doing so, the Dolphins guarantee themselves either Pitts, Sewell, or Ja’Marr Chase. However, what if the Dolphins really want one of those three players? They can move up to the fourth pick and give the Falcons the one thing no other team can: a guarantee of landing one of those three elite prospects. If the Falcons have very similar grades on all three players, they would be wise to move back two spots and add some draft capital.
Potential Trade Offer: Dolphins trade picks 6, 81 for pick 4.
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