12 NFL Teams Eyed for Draft Day Trades

Potential movers up and down the board ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaos and complexity of NFL draft day trades, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the various teams and pick positions in flux.The frenetic energy of draft day trades is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, hinting at the strategic maneuvering and shifting fortunes that will unfold as teams look to move up or down the board.NYC Today

With the NFL Draft approaching, league sources have identified 12 teams that could be active in making trades on draft day - 6 teams that may look to move up the board and 6 teams that could trade down their draft position.

Why it matters

Draft-day trades can significantly impact a team's ability to land top talent and shape the direction of their franchise. Teams looking to move up often target specific players they covet, while those trading down may be seeking to acquire additional picks to build depth. These potential trades will be closely watched as the draft unfolds.

The details

The list of teams potentially looking to move up includes some GMs known for their wheeling and dealing, like Joe Schoen of the Giants and Joe Hortiz of the Ravens. Meanwhile, teams like the Seahawks, 49ers, and Buccaneers led by GMs John Schneider, John Lynch, and John Spytek could be open to trading down to acquire more draft capital.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Joe Schoen

General Manager of the New York Giants.

Joe Hortiz

General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.

Monti Ossenfort

General Manager of the Arizona Cardinals.

John Schneider

General Manager of the Seattle Seahawks.

John Lynch

General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers.

John Spytek

General Manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As the NFL draft nears, here are six teams that could trade up and six that could trade down in the first round, based on conversations with league sources.”

— Ryan Dunleavy, Author

What’s next

Teams will continue to evaluate their draft board and trade options in the days leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, with potential deals likely to unfold during the first round on April 24th.

The takeaway

The wheeling and dealing on draft day can significantly reshape the NFL landscape, as teams look to either target specific players they covet or acquire additional draft capital. These 12 teams have been identified as potential movers, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming draft.