As we turn from the frenzy that was March to the draft hype machine that is April on the NFL calendar, it's hard not to get fired up about the potential waves that are building ahead of April 27.
After all, not only does this draft class contain four extremely intriguing quarterbacks (which means jockeying!) but also two veteran signal-callers with MVP awards on their résumés could change teams between now and the end of the first round of said draft—with 2023 draft capital almost certain to factor in if those deals go down.
With that in mind, let's look at five draft scenarios that could turn the league on its head before we hit May.
Falcons Acquire No. 3 Pick from Cardinals
Now that the Carolina Panthers have traded up to the top selection in the draft, the Atlanta Falcons—who lack an obvious potential franchise quarterback—are the next most logical team to trade into the top four to secure one of the prime members of this year's quarterback class. The Falcons hold the No. 8 selection, while the Seattle Seahawks (No. 5) retained Geno Smith, the Detroit Lions (No. 6) have Jared Goff and the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7) signed Jimmy Garoppolo.
Because of the presence of Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) are naturally strong candidates to move down. The other top-four selectors—the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts—are likely in on the quarterback pool.
The Falcons did win seven games in 2022 and post a middle-of-the-pack defense-adjusted value over average figure at Football Outsiders. But a move up to draft C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson or Will Levis could shake things up in a wide-open division.
Of course, precedents indicate trading up even those five spots wouldn't be cheap. Moving up eight spots to the first pick cost Carolina a first-rounder next year as well as two second-round selections plus wide receiver DJ Moore. So, at the very least, this deal would likely give the Cards a second first-rounder in 2024, but they'd also be in line for extra draft capital.
Titans Acquire No. 3 Pick from Cardinals
An even larger shake-up could come in the form of a deal between the Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans, mainly because Tennessee would be jumping from No. 11.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah floated this on his Move the Sticks podcast with Bucky Brooks last week, and it makes a lot of sense even if it's far-fetched.
To move would probably cost the Titans about what the Panthers gave the Chicago Bears for the top selection, but they could attempt to seize the day with the window perhaps closing on Derrick Henry and the core, and Tennessee could be growing impatient with starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
According to Spotrac, the Titans can also save $27 million in salary-cap space by moving on from Tannehill, who peaked in 2019 and will turn 35 this summer.
Imagine Stroud, Young, Richardson or Levis with Henry in the backfield on a team that has been competitive throughout the Mike Vrabel era. The already-loaded AFC would become an absolute scene.