All but two teams in the NFL have already begun their preparations for the 2023 off-season. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are the last two standing and will play for the Lombardi Trophy this weekend in the Super Bowl. Everyone else will already have their focus shifted to how they can get to that level next season, with the 2023 NFL Draft being a prime time to upgrade.
This year we could see a lot of movement up and down the draft board. There are already four teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft and there could be even more when it’s all said and done.
There are a few teams that are looking to move down the draft board, but it takes two to tango. Which teams could be good trade partners for those teams? These four teams should be looking to move up in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a tough spot heading into the offseason. The only quarterback currently on their roster is 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask as Tom Brady announced his retirement and Blaine Gabbert is a free agent.
Given the cap hell that the Buccaneers are in, finding a solution at the position could prove difficult. They will likely scour the market for a veteran to step into the starting lineup, but if they are unable to accomplish that, they could enter a full-on rebuild.
Part of that process would include trading away established veterans to lower the salary cap while adding pieces for the future. One part of that could be moving up in the 2023 NFL Draft if there is a quarterback prospect they feel strongly enough about. It could be costly, but if a quarterback slips down the board, Tampa Bay should be ready to pounce.
The Philadelphia Eagles have done a great job of navigating the drafts in recent years. General manager Howie Roseman deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done crafting this roster as they have one of the deepest in the league; that is why they are playing in the Super Bowl.
Armed with two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, their own and one courtesy of the New Orleans Saints, the Eagles can go in a number of ways. One route they can take is moving up and ensuring they get the player they have atop their draft board.
Who that player may be will become clearer once free agency gets underway. There are no glaring holes on the roster right now, but a need may arise depending on how things shake out. If that happens, they will be ready to make a move with the extra draft capital they own.
The Detroit Lions are on a great path under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. They won nine games this past season and the plan that the two of them put in place is working well.
They come into the 2023 NFL Draft in a great spot as they own two first-round picks; their own at No. 18 and No. 6 courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams. In need of some more pass-rushing juice opposite of Aidan Hutchinson, they make for an intriguing trade-up target.
They have the assets to move up in the draft, which could be considered, especially if the Chicago Bears trade down from the No. 1 spot. It would be fair to assume that quarterbacks would go off the board with the first two picks, making the No. 3 spot, currently owned by the Arizona Cardinals, a prime position for the Lions to make a move up for Will Anderson or Jalen Carter.
Currently owning the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts are in a precarious spot. They need a quarterback, but they are in danger of not getting their pick of the prospects given the spot that they are in.
There is a strong likelihood that the Houston Texans are going to select a quarterback at the No. 2 spot. The Chicago Bears are open for business at No. 1, which could be a second signal-caller off the board. It certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibility that the Cardinals move out of the third spot as well.
If the Colts fall in love with one of the prospects, they have to make a move up the board and make a trade with the Bears for the No. 1 spot. They have been in shambles at the quarterback position since Andrew Luck unexpectedly retired in 2019 and they need to find a long-term answer.
