Atlanta Falcons

2017 NFL Draft: 5 Teams Who Need to Trade Up

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:11 p.m. ET

Fansided, Randy Gurzi/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

The 2017 NFL Draft will be full of excitement just like it is every year, part of the fun is the moves and here are five teams that need to trade up

Each year in the NFL Draft, trades take center stage. None are more exciting than when a team moves up in the first round and tries to secure a special talent. If the 2017 NFL Draft is anything like it's predecessor, than this year should be as exciting as ever.

In 2016, there were three trades in the first round alone that were made before the draft even got here. The biggest was when the Los Angeles Rams moved up and got the number one overall selection from the Tennessee Titans. After that the Philadelphia Eagles were able to secure the second overall pick from the Cleveland Browns, but that was after they moved from 13 to eight in a deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Once the draft got underway, even more action took place. The Titans moved back into the top 10 in a deal with Cleveland for their previously acquired eighth overall pick and received the 15th. The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers swapped the ninth and 11th picks; the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins made a weird move to exchange numbers 21 and 22; the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks swapped numbers 26 and 31; and finally the San Francisco 49ers moved into the 28th overall pick using their second round pick along with a couple others.

So the safe money is that more than one trade will happen again this year. But which teams are most likely to get in on the action? Well—here are five that definitely should.

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. New York Jets

Every team on this list is here for a different reason, but none may be more pressing than the New York Jets. This team has been awful at quarterback for far too long and sitting at the sixth pick they may very well be able to secure themselves a future starter. Or they could get leap-frogged by a team even more desperate for someone to line up under center for the next decade or more.

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The Jets have had their fill of project players and former backups. They have trotted out second round pick Geno Smith, who was nothing short of bad. From there they went with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was better than Smith for one season before reminding us all why he has bounced from the Rams, to the Bengals, to the Bills, to the Titans, to the Texans, to the Jets, and now back to the open market. They even tried fourth round pick Bryce Petty, who stunk it up worse than Smith and Fitzpatrick. Making matters worse, they drafted Christian Hackenberg in round two last season and apparently he showed so little in practice they didn't even want him to dress for games.

All that can be summed up in one clear thought—the Jets need a legitimate starter. Their best bet would be to go with DeShaun Watson out of Clemson who was great in back-to-back title game runs. He also saw his stock rise at the scouting combine. Watson may not have the flair of recent top picks at the position, but let's be honest—if Jared Goff was worth a top pick, so is Watson. The Jets would be wise to move up and secure his services.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) goes against Washington Huskies offensive lineman Trey Adams (72) during the second quarter of the 2016 CFP Semifinal at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

4. New Orleans Saints

Unlike the Jets, the New Orleans Saints have a quarterback. Drew Brees may be 38-years old, but he completed 70 percent of his throws and had an amazing 5,208 yards and 37 touchdowns. He may not have many years left, but the Saints don't need to move up and get his successor just yet.

Instead what New Orleans needs to do is move up and select a player that helps them gear up for one more run in the Sean Payton (head coach) and Drew Brees era. Right now their offense is a machine, and they can score with anyone in the league. Their defense is another story as they can't stop anyone. The quickest way to alleviate that is by getting an elite pass rusher that can ruin a game plan. Drafting 11th overall the Saints may be able to do that. Move up a few picks and they can all but guarantee it.

As it stands now, the Saints may be trying to do just that. Reports are they are trying to trade explosive wide out Brandin Cooks for a first round pick. One potential suitor is the Philadelphia Eagles, who own the 14th overall pick. Should the Saints find a way to hold two top-15 picks, it would then make sense for them to move up even higher and try to acquire someone like Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen, or Tennessee edge rusher Derek Barnett

Either player would make an immediate impact on defense and could help the Saints get back into the post season in 2017.

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks over a chart during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Back to a team needing a quarterback. The Kansas City Chiefs were rumored to be in the sweepstakes for quarterback Tony Romo as a replacement for the ever-hated Alex Smith. Then they were rumored to be un-interested. So it looks like they will roll with Smith, which means the fans may riot if he fails to win in the playoffs yet again.

To try and make sure the Chiefs faithful don't storm the field, they really need to get someone in the wings that can eventually take over. Drafting 27th makes that seem very unlikely in a weak quarterback class.

Instead of taking a risk on a guy in the later rounds that may never pan out, the Chiefs could very well sacrifice a few future picks to move up and secure a player like Mitchell Trubisky of North Carolina. Trubisky is considered by many to be the second best quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft—behind DeShaun Watson of Clemson—and would be a great player for head coach Andy Reid to work with.

Trubisky would also benefit from coming to a team like Kansas City. Rather than having to be thrown to the wolves immediately like he would in some cities, the rookie can learn behind a smart professional like Alex Smith until he is ready. With him starting for just one season for the Tar Heels, there's no telling how long that will take, but at least they will have someone waiting for when Smith finally is run out of town.

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe (25) during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Atlanta Falcons

Much like the New Orleans Saints in the same division as the Atlanta Falcons, this team needs defensive playmakers. They went all the way to Super Bowl 51 on the strength of quarterback Matt Ryan's MVP season and were aided by a late season surge from a group of young defenders. They fell short though as they couldn't hold a huge lead and they wound up being the first team to ever lost the Super Bowl in an overtime game.

To try and fix that defense which couldn't make a key stop at the end, they really could stand to move up for a splash player. Perhaps no team in the NFL should be a bigger proponent of making such a move than Atlanta.

In the 2011 draft, the Falcons gave up five draft picks to move from the 27th spot to the sixth overall for the right to draft wide receiver Julio Jones. Since making that move Jones has transformed them into a dominate offense and Atlanta proved that teams absolutely overvalue their picks. The Cleveland Browns turned those selections—through some other trades as well—into nose tackle Phil Taylor, running back Trent Richardson, wide receiver Greg Little, fullback Owen Marecic, and quarterback Brandon Weeden. None are on the Browns roster.

Knowing how well it turned out for them, and that the picks they gave up did nothing in the NFL, Atlanta would be wise to move up yet again. This time perhaps they can find a guy who can transform their defense like Jones did for their offense.

Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett takes the field prior to the game gainst the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have done well in recent drafts staying put and selecting their guys. For a while they had a habit of trading back and acquiring more picks. That led to the debacle in 2009 where they accumulated 12 picks, and after just a few seasons none were on the roster. Since then they also dabbled in moving up. In 2012 they gave up a first and a second round pick for cornerback Morris Claiborne, the sixth overall selection. Claiborne has spent more time on the sidelines hurt than on the field and should be gone via free agency soon.

Then again in 2014 they traded their second and third round pick to move towards the top of round two for defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. He hasn't been as big a bust as Claiborne, but after serving a four-game suspension and then recording just one sack in 2016 the team can't be too thrilled with him.

With those two moves seeming so ridiculous now, fans may be scared to death at the prospect of the Boys moving up. This year is different though. The 2017 NFL Draft is stacked with defensive end talent. Dallas doesn't need to sot back and wait however, because in all honesty only a few of those talented edge rushers are truly elite. For Dallas to take the next step, that's exactly what they need, is an elite rusher. Given their awful job of managing the salary cap, the only way to accomplish that is through the draft.

The Cowboys have done a great job finding supporting cast on the cheap. Players like defensive tackle David Irving—plucked from the Chiefs practice squad—and sixth round rookie Anthony Brown have been key contributors. Players like that to fill roles can be found with later picks while they find a way to move up and select a dominate player to finally get after quarterbacks.