10 2026 NFL Draft Trade Scenarios: Potential Blockbuster Deals

April 17, 2026

Andy's 10 2026 NFL Draft Trade Scenarios: Potential Blockbuster Deals for the 2026 NFL Draft. Read his top blockbuster trade predictions including A.J. Brown, Maxx Crosby, and more.

With the 2026 NFL Draft just under a week away, it's time to look at some potential blockbuster trades that may happen during the opening round of the draft. Last year, we saw the Jaguars trade up to the No. 2 spot to select Travis Hunter, and the Giants moved up to the first round to find their franchise QB.

In this piece, we will highlight a superstar running back who is on the trade block and a wide receiver who has had his name in trade rumors throughout the entirety of the offseason.

What 10 blockbusters could occur during the 2026 NFL Draft? Let's dive in!

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
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• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

No. 10: Eagles Trade A.J. Brown to the Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has been on the trade block for most of the offseason, and given that the Eagles not only signed Marquise Brown this spring but also added Dontayvion Wicks in a trade, moving their top wideout seems likely. While the Packers signed Romeo Doubs in the offseason, they lack a true No. 1 for Drake Maye.

Brown would immediately raise the ceiling of this offense as the 28-year-old has scored seven touchdowns in each of his last three seasons and averaged 1,179 yards per campaign.

No. 9: De'Von Achane Joins Minnesota Running Back Room

The Dolphins moved one of their top offensive players earlier this offseason as they sent Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos for a surplus of draft picks. With top turning back, De'Von Achane serving as the lone true playmaker, the Dolphins will likely entertain any offer for him.

While the Vikings have a few veteran options like Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, Achane could bring this offense to a new level. Achane is coming off a career-best 1,350 rushing yard campaign and enters the 2026 season as one of the game's top running backs.

No. 8: Jets Trade Back Into the First Round and Select Ty Simpson

While the Jets enter the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 2 overall pick and the No. 16 overall pick, they may look to trade back into the late first round, especially if Alabama's Ty Simpson is still on the board. Last spring, the Giants followed a similar trend as they moved up in the first round to find their franchise QB, Jaxson Dart.

Simpson looked quite comfortable serving as Alabama's QB1 in 2025, throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He would likely enter the season as the Jets' No. 2 option behind Geno Smith.

No. 7: Commanders Acquire Brian Thomas Jr. from Jaguars

The Jaguars wide receiver room is quite deep and the wideout who figured to be the lead option is free-falling on the team's depth chart. After a dominant rookie campaign that saw the former LSU standout catch 10 touchdown passes with 1,282 yards, Thomas took a major step back in Year 2.

He caught only 48 passes for a low 707 yards and two touchdowns despite the team winning the AFC South. With Jakobi Meyers under contract and the late-season emergence of Parker Washington, Thomas is set to open the season as the potential WR3 on this roster. The Commanders have a major need at WR, and adding Jayden Daniels' former LSU teammate can provide a major spark to their offense.

No. 6: Cowboys Acquire Maxx Crosby

The other superstar on the trade block this offseason has been Maxx Crosby of the Raiders. In fact, the superstar was actually sent to the Ravens in a trade. However, Baltimore opted to back out following a failed physical. While Crosby is still on the Raiders as of writing, he is unlikely to open the 2026 campaign in Sin City.

Enter Jerry Jones. Jones has the prime opportunity to make another massive swing to acquire a true defense maker on the defensive side of the ball. In 2025, Crosby tallied 10 sacks over 15 games while logging 73 total tackles.

DT Jonah Laulu wins inside with spin move to get QB off spot, Maxx Crosby finishes for sack.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/LnCWDnlzwJ

— Ryan Holmes (@Rholm22) December 4, 2025

No. 5: Ravens Move Up for Carnell Tate

The Ravens sit at the No. 14 spot in the 2026 NFL Draft following a disappointing 2025 season. They fell short of playoff expectations and eventually moved on from longtime HC John Harbaugh. However, this team is still built to compete for a Super Bowl, and adding another player for Lamar Jackson could provide the needed spark.

While they may get a WR at this current spot, do not be surprised if they look to trade up to secure another elite option for the former MVP. With Ohio State, Tate won a National Championship and has tallied at least 700 yards in back-to-back seasons.

No. 4: Aaron Rodgers Announces Return to Pittsburgh

Let's pivot off a blockbuster trade and spotlight a potential blockbuster announcement. Currently, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not have a QB1 for the upcoming season, as Aaron Rodgers is still deciding on his future in the NFL. However, with the NFL Draft in the Steel City, the future Hall of Famer could make his long-awaited announcement in front of his fans.

In the offseason, the Steelers hired Rodgers' former HC during his time with the Packers, Mike McCarthy, and could look to make one more run for a second Lombardi Trophy. During his first season as a Steeler, Rodgers led them to an AFC North title and threw 24 passing touchdowns.

No. 3: Giants Pivot Off Dexter Lawrence, Net Another First-Round Selection

The Giants are eying to compete in 2026, but top defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has seen his name circulating in trade rumors. While the Giants already hold a top-5 pick, if they were to move Lawrence, they would likely net another first-rounder (or high second-round pick), further accelerating their current rebuild.

Lawrence had a down season in 2025, but tallied nine sacks the year prior. Potential suitors for Lawrence could be the Cincinnati Bengals or Las Vegas Raiders (if they were to move Maxx Crosby).

No. 2: Cardinals Take a Chance on Anthony Richardson Sr.

The Cardinals are in the midst of a complete rebuild and could have the opportunity to acquire a former top pick in Anthony Richardson Sr. With the Colts bringing back Daniel Jones, Richardson may have already played his last snap as a Colt, as Jones figures to be the long-term answer at the position.

While Richardson has struggled in the NFL, the Cardinals could give him a much-needed fresh start and have him compete with Jacoby Brissett for the starting job. This would give Richardson the best possible chance of earning a full-time job in the near future, even though it would be on one of the NFL's worst rosters.

No. 1: Super Bowl Champions Bolster Running Back Room with Jeremiyah Love

Let's end this with a "really" bold prediction. The Seahawks opted to let Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, walk in free agency as he inked a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Seahawks now have one of the worst RB rooms in the league as the top option, Zach Charbonnet, is recovering from a torn ACL, leaving Emanuel Wilson as the potential Week 1 starter.

Given their elite defense, this team is built to win again in 2026. They have the talent on their roster to make a strong case to move up in the early first round and acquire the top running back prospect in the class, Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love.

Jeremiyah Love taking flight will never get old ✈️ ☘️

🎥: @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/k2fUedTX3L

— Biased Notre Dame Fan (@CFBGuy999) April 15, 2026

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