2016 NFL Draft trade possibilities

On Friday, Dolphins Executive VP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum and GM Chris Grier both confirmed that Miami is willing to trade the 13th pick in the NFL Draft. Willing to go up or down, which teams could we see make a deal with Miami on Thursday night?

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The 2016 NFL Draft has already seen some blockbuster trades been made prior to the big event on Thursday night. There’s a high probability that we’re not done yet as teams continue to talk about moving in the draft. We could see more trades being made within the next few days with expectations that talks will ‘heat up’ come draft day. The Miami Dolphins have announced their interest in moving out of the 13th pick, and that they are willing to go up or down in the draft.

At a Dolphins pre-draft press conference on Friday, Executive VP Mike Tannenbaum and GM Chris Grier expressed those interests and that the Dolphins still plan to take the best player available. It’s not surprising that the Dolphins are looking at trade possibilities. In fact, they were the first team to make one of those blockbuster trades so far when they agreed to send the number 8 pick to Philadelphia in exchange for CB Byron Maxwell, LB Kiko Alonso, and the 13th pick.

Most Dolphins fans would probably agree that if Miami were to make another trade, that it should be to trade down in order to acquire more picks. However, Tannenbaum pointed out that Miami has eight draft picks going in and have acquired two potential starters. If an opportunity does come that allows Miami to move up, the Dolphins feel comfortable with the resources that they have. By speculation, it would seem that if Miami does make a move that it will come on draft night.

So if Miami does make a move on draft night, which teams could we see them trading with? We’re going to take a look at some of Miami’s possible trade partners and what kind of deals we could expect to see. The idea of Miami trading with anyone in the AFC East is not very realistic and can be merely eliminated from thought.

Miami trades with San Francisco

Dolphins Receive:

SF 1st round pick (7 overall)

SF 4th round pick (105 overall)

SF 5th round pick (142 overall)

49ers Receive

MIA 1st round pick (13 overall)

MIA 2nd round pick (42 overall)

The Dolphins should consider pick 7 as their ceiling of how far they are willing to move up in the draft if that is their preference. Any higher and Miami would essentially be giving up too much. In this scenario, Miami gives up their 2016 2nd round pick but they actually pick up an extra selection with the addition of San Francisco’s 4th and 5th rounders. Miami would likely make this move up for the opportunity to draft Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott after other teams like Dallas and Baltimore use their picks to draft other needs.

It may not be ideal for Miami to move this high up in the draft to elect a running back but Miami loves Elliott and there are worse deals that they could make. The Dolphins could use those extra 4th and 5th round picks to move back into the 2nd or 3rd rounds if they choose.

San Francisco has twelve picks going into the draft. After Philadelphia traded with Cleveland to move into the 2nd overall spot, it’s evident that the 49ers will not be getting either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz in this draft. Since that’s the case, the 49ers see no issues with moving down 6 spots in the first round. They can still select an inside linebacker at 13 or possibly reach on a quarterback like Paxton Lynch. The additional 2nd round pick would also give the 49ers the ammunition to move back into the 1st round.

Miami trades with Cleveland

Dolphins Receive:

CLE 1st round pick (8 overall)

Browns Receive:

MIA 1st round pick (13 overall)

MIA 3rd round pick (73 overall)

MIA 2017 5th round pick

Miami started with the 8th overall pick and could look to get back in that spot in a trade with the Browns. Again, Miami likely makes this trade with the intent to draft Elliott if he is available. However, never underestimate the Dolphins brass. After a trade up in the 2013 draft, it was expected that Miami would draft offensive lineman Lane Johnson but the Dolphins surprised everyone by selecting Dion Jordan instead.

Cleveland needs a lot of help and the more picks they can gather up, the better. Like the 49ers, the Browns have twelve picks as well after their trade with Philadelphia to move out of the 2nd overall pick. Cleveland could also draft QB Paxton Lynch if they believe he could be a franchise quarterback or elect to beef up their offensive line with the 13th pick. This trade would give the Browns three 3rd round picks. With already three picks in the 4th and 5th rounds as well, Cleveland could look to build in the mid-rounds.

Miami trades with Minnesota

Dolphins Receive:

MIN 1st round pick (23 overall)

MIN 2nd round pick (54 overall)

MIN 5th round pick (160 overall)

Vikings Receive:

MIA 1st round pick (13 overall)

On paper, it looks like the Vikings may be giving up too much here for a top 13 pick. However, after reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and nearly defeating the Seattle Seahawks in their Wild Card game, the Vikings could be thinking they’re close to becoming just one player away. Minnesota needs to improve their offense and could move into the 13th spot with linemen Jack Conklin or Ronnie Stanley in their sights. The Vikings could also add a receiver like Ole Miss star Laquon Treadwell to lineup opposite next to last season’s pleasant surprise, Stefon Diggs.

The Dolphins could really benefit in this deal with the additional picks. Selecting at 23, Miami can still take a best player available approach. Cornerbacks Eli Apple, William Jackson III, or Mackensie Alexander could still be available here. If not, options at inside linebacker are expected to be available as well. With two 2nd round picks, Miami could afford to select a need at guard such as Cody Whitehair and possibly double-down on corners.

Miami trades with Kansas City

Dolphins Receive:

KC 1st round pick (28 overall)

KC 2nd round pick (59 overall)

KC 6th round pick (203 overall)

KC 2017 4th round pick

RB Knile Davis

Chiefs Receive:

MIA 1st round pick (13 overall)

MIA 6th round pick (186 overall)

The Dolphins and Chiefs have already been linked together in trade rumors. It’s no secret that Miami is in search for a running back after losing Lamar Miller to free agency and Denver’s decision to match their offer sheet for C.J. Anderson. The Chiefs have four talented running backs currently on their roster. Kansas City is unlikely to trade Spencer Ware or Charcandrick West after signing both to new contracts. With a history of injuries Miami is not likely to be interested in a trade for Jamaal Charles, leaving Knile Davis as the likely option.

The Dolphins get their back to create a committee of Davis and Jay Ajayi, with Damien Williams as a possible third down back. Dolphins coach Adam Gase has stated he likes the idea of a committee approach in his backfield. Miami also receives an additional 2nd in the deal and a 4th round pick next season. The Dolphins and Chiefs would essentially swap their 6th round picks this season.

Kansas City lost CB Sean Smith in free agency and could look to move up to find his replacement. The Chiefs seem to be high on Ohio State’s Eli Apple as a viable replacement. They too could look to draft a wide receiver like Laquon Treadwell as the Chiefs still lack a No. 2 receiver to pair alongside Jeremy Maclin. The Chiefs have only seven picks in this year’s draft but a move up the board is still a possibility, with their top targets expected to be off the board by pick 28.

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