NFL Draft Shakeup: Teams Position for Blockbuster Trades Amid Lackluster QB Class

Clear Facts

• Five teams hold two first-round picks: Jets, Browns, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Cowboys — giving them leverage for potential trades
• Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and would cost at least a first-round pick plus additional compensation
• The 2026 draft lacks star power compared to previous years, with no polarizing figures and limited elite quarterback prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza

The 2026 NFL draft faces a star-power problem. Without the marquee names and compelling storylines that typically define memorable drafts, general managers are positioning for a flurry of trades to inject excitement into next Thursday’s proceedings in Pittsburgh.

What’s absent from this year’s class is telling. The quarterback position, traditionally the draft’s centerpiece, offers little beyond presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza — who won’t even attend the ceremony.

This stands in stark contrast to 2024, when a record-tying six quarterbacks went in the first round. There’s no repeat of the legendary 1983 draft, which produced seven Hall of Famers in the first round alone.

The lack of star power extends beyond quarterbacks. No polarizing figure like Shedeur Sanders or enigmatic talent like Randy Moss dominates the conversation.

Instead, league insiders expect unprecedented trade activity. Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry acknowledged the speculation Thursday:

“I love how everybody last year thought we weren’t trading down and everybody this year assumes we are.”

The conditions are ripe for movement. Five franchises — the Jets, Browns, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Cowboys — possess two first-round selections, providing ammunition for aggressive maneuvering.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen, holding the No. 5 overall pick, confirmed interest from multiple teams. “We’ve gotten a couple calls of teams sniffing around about potentially coming up,” Schoen said.

“And again, we’ll just have to wait and see who’s there when we pick. I don’t really foresee us moving back before next Thursday night.”

The motivation for trades centers largely on offensive tackles. A handful of first-round-caliber options exist before talent drops significantly, creating urgency for teams needing protection on the edge.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach outlined the likely scenario:

“I think in some of those a couple of linemen creep in, but I do think that if they don’t creep into that first eight, nine, 10 slots, I think you’re going to get a massive run of offensive linemen from 10 to 20, 25.”

Beyond draft picks, established veterans could change teams during the event. Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence represents the most likely candidate after publicly demanding a trade, creating an uncomfortable situation in New York.

Despite the tension, the Giants won’t surrender their defensive anchor cheaply. With two years remaining on Lawrence’s contract, acquiring him would require at least a first-round pick plus additional compensation, according to sources.

“I’m always going to pick up the phone,” Schoen said when asked about trade possibilities.

However, speculation should be tempered with reality. No credible intelligence suggests Cleveland is shopping star pass rusher Myles Garrett.

The Eagles will likely trade receiver A.J. Brown this offseason, but salary cap considerations point to a post-June 1 transaction rather than draft-day fireworks. The Chargers have flatly denied rumors surrounding receiver Quentin Johnston.

“There’s a lot of rumors out there on Twitter,” Chargers GM Joe Hortiz told reporters Thursday, “but I can tell you this: I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I’ve had zero calls regarding Quentin.”

What emerges is a draft defined not by generational talent, but by strategic positioning. Teams holding multiple first-rounders can capitalize on positional scarcity, particularly along the offensive line, while clubs seeking immediate impact may sacrifice future assets for proven veterans.

The absence of traditional draft drama — no quarterback controversy, no can’t-miss prospects, no viral moments waiting to happen — shifts focus to the chess match between front offices. For a draft lacking natural intrigue, blockbuster trades may provide the only memorable moments worth recalling decades from now.

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