NFL Draft trades we would love to see

The 2019 NFL Draft is fewer than 30 days away, and it's one of the only weekends of the year when every team’s fan base feels joyous and optimistic for the new season.

That’s mostly because of the young players whom every team will be adding. But don’t forget about draft-day trades.

Some of the most memorable transactions in NFL history have occurred on draft day. Whether it’s trading up to a particularly player or sacrificing picks to add a veteran, teams can cause as much excitement for their fans with trades as with the actual drafting.

This year there are no shortage of possible draft-day deals. Here are eight moves the casual fan would love to see at the 2019 NFL Draft:

New York Giants trade the No. 17 pick for QB Josh Rosen 

With the trade of Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants have decided to rebuild. Eli Manning might start another season, but whether he does or not, he’s near the end of his career.

Therefore, trading for Rosen makes sense. The Arizona Cardinals appear headed toward drafting Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall. That will place Rosen on the trade market, and NFL fans can’t ask for more drama than last year’s No. 10 overall pick heading to the Big Apple after getting replaced by a Heisman winner.

After receiving the No. 17 overall pick from the Browns as part of the Beckham deal, the Giants have the draft capital to pull off this deal without having to give up their No. 6 pick. Getting Rosen for the No. 17 selection might be more appealing than simply drafting Dwayne Haskins at sixth overall.

If this happens, New Yorkers will debate Rosen vs. Sam Darnold for years. How fun would that be? Plus in the NFC East, Rosen will face other young gunslingers Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott twice a year.

Washington Redskins trade up to No. 5 for QB Dwayne Haskins 

Speaking of the NFC East, imagine a division with Wentz, Prescott, Rosen and Haskins. It's is already one of the more entertaining divisions, and it will be even better with some of the best young quarterbacks and prospects in the league.

Washington has traded for two quarterbacks in the last two offseasons — Alex Smith and Case Keenum — but neither is a long-term solution. The team is also still unsure about Smith’s future following his devastating leg injury, and Washington needs to prepare itself for the fact he may never play again.

On Tuesday, NFL reporter Ian Rapoport tweeted the Redskins are going to “take a hard look” at the quarterback class. To get an elite one in 2019, they will have to trade up from No. 15 overall.

The Redskins have never been bashful about making big moves. If the Giants fall out of contention for Haskins, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see Washington go up and grab him.

New England Patriots trade up to No. 11 to draft TE T.J. Hockenson

Former All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski announced this week he would be retiring. If the Patriots expect to keep their dynasty rolling, they will need to replace him immediately.

Iowa produced a pair of tight ends who would fit perfectly with Tom Brady and the Patriots. Hockenson is the preferred option of the two, but his college teammate Noah Fant is expected to be a first-round pick too.

It’s not really New England’s style to trade up to land one player. Bill Belichick usually deals with the hand he’s dealt and tries to add selections by trading down. If there was ever a time to change philosophy, though, Brady’s potential last season would be it.

Pittsburgh Steelers trade up to No. 13 to draft LB Devin Bush

The Steelers would love to get their hands on either Bush or fellow inside linebacker Devin White. Last season, the Steelers’ top preferences at inside linebacker went off the board before they picked late in the first round. If one of those two linebackers goes in or close to the top 10, don’t expect Pittsburgh to sit on its hands again.

Pittsburgh has major needs on offense for the first time in years, but the team’s biggest weakness remains at inside linebacker and cornerback. Bush would be a replacement for Ryan Shazier and could perhaps be the final piece of a potentially elite front seven.

Bush, T.J. Watt and Stephon Tuitt will all be 26 or younger next season, and even at 30 come kickoff, Cameron Heyward has never been better.

Seattle Seahawks trade up to No. 16 to draft WR D.K. Metcalf 

NFL draft experts are still unsure where Metcalf might land. Some mock drafts have him in the top 10, while others rank him closer to when the teams with winning records begin drafting.

If Metcalf drops out of the top 10, Seattle could see an opening to land this athletic specimen. Metcalf is 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

Imagine Russell Wilson throwing Metcalf deep balls or fade routes in the end zone. That’s a scary thought to any defensive back.

RB LeSean McCoy to the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick

It's hard to gauge what McCoy would be worth on the trade market, but the Texans should definitely inquire.

It feels like Houston’s window of opportunity is just opening with young quarterback Deshaun Watson, but actually the Texans defense is aging rather quickly, and the future of Jadeveon Clowney, who received the franchise tag in March, is still uncertain. For that reason, Houston might go all in for 2019.

If so, look for the Texans to upgrade the running back spot. McCoy rushed for a career-low 514 yards and 3.2 yards per carry in 2018. In a better offense, though, it wouldn’t at all be a surprise to see McCoy bounce back this fall.

This trade would give the Bills three fifth-round selections.

CB Patrick Peterson to the San Francisco 49ers for two second-round picks

It’s highly unlikely the Cardinals would deal Peterson inside the division, so this potential deal will probably only exist in our fantasy. But it’s still spectacular to dream about Peterson and Richard Sherman playing in the same secondary.

Both entered the league in 2011 and have been two of the best cornerbacks this decade. Peterson turns 29 this summer and is bound to make the Hall of Fame one day. In his eight-year career, he’s made eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.

With Arizona in full rebuild mode, it wouldn’t at all be a surprise to see Peterson dealt for draft picks at some point. By the time the Cardinals figure out their quarterback situation, Peterson will probably be past his prime.

QB Nick Mullens to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick

So Mullens is probably not at the top of most fans’ wish lists, and casual fans would probably rather watch Ryan Fitzpatrick start at quarterback for the Dolphins this fall. At least that will be highly entertaining.

But Mullens showed quite a bit in eight starts last season, and if the price is low a team like the Dolphins has nothing to lose acquiring the 24-year-old signal-caller. Mullens threw for 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, averaging a healthy 8.3 yards per attempt in 2018.

San Francisco posted a 4-12 record last season. Mullens went 3-5 as a starter.