Trades are increasingly becoming common during draft day and the 2016 NFL draft was no exception. The first round of the 2016 NFL draft featured twelve trades, two of those happening in the days leading up to the draft when Tennessee and Cleveland traded the first and second overall selections. The tone was set early and teams utilized trades freely throughout the draft.
Teams with quarterback needs were particularly active as evidenced by the blockbuster trades by the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams gave up picks 15, 43, 45 and 76 from 2016 plus their rounds 1 and 3 picks from 2017 to draft up to number one and select California quarterback Jared Goff. Likewise, the Eagles gave up a kings ransom to trade up with Cleveland to land the number two overall selection to draft North Dakota State University quarterback Carson Wentz, giving up picks #8, 77 and 100 from 2016 plus their rounds 1 and 3 selections from 2017.
Time will tell whether these trades are worth it or whether the Rams will get bit with the Robert Griffin III karma.
New Tennessee Titans General Manager Jon Robinson was active as a trader, trading away the number one overall selection to the Los Angeles Rams, then trading back up into the top 10 with Cleveland to draft offensive tackle Jack Conklin with the overall eighth selection. During the draft, he traded up three times to pick up players.
Other teams active in the trader market include the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. Perhaps the most surprising trade of the draft came on Day 2 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded up in the second round to draft place kicker Roberto Aguayo with selection number 59. In doing so, they gave up pick 74 (3rd round) and pick 106 (fourth round to the Kansas City Chiefs) and traded second round picks.
You can keep track of all NFL draft trades by clicking here. For more NFL updates you can follow Sharona on twitter at @SportsBySharona.
