Trades that had the biggest effect on the NFL Draft

The Ravens shocked the football world when they traded up to 32nd overall in the 2018 draft to take former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. To complete the move, Baltimore sent the 52nd and 125th picks in the draft, as well as a 2019 second-round pick, to Philly for the 32nd and 132nd draft choices. Jackson has gone on to become one of the league's most exciting players, winning NFL MVP in 2019.

Just two picks after the Chiefs traded up for Patrick Mahomes, Houston did the same for Deshaun Watson, trading the 25th overall draft choice and their 2018 first-rounder to Cleveland for the 12th overall pick. Watson has developed into one of the league's brightest stars three years into his career.

The Chiefs hadn't drafted a true franchise quarterback since Len Dawson, but that changed in the blink of an eye with their acquisition of the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft. K.C. sent the 27th overall pick, a third-round pick, and its 2018 first-round pick to Buffalo to take Mahomes. Since the move, Mahomes won the NFL MVP in 2018 and led the franchise to its second ever Super Bowl victory, in 2019.

The Bears dealt first-, third-, and fourth-round picks, as well as a third-round selection in 2018, to San Francisco to draft Trubisky at No. 2 overall. He helped lead the Bears to the playoffs in 2018 but struggled the following year.

The Chargers traded a first-, fourth- and fifth-round pick (in 2016) to San Francisco to move up two spots to draft the future Pro Bowler. He rushed for over 4,000 yards and 36 TDs in five years with the team, before moving on to division-rival Denver this offseason.

The Browns traded first- and third-round picks to the Eagles to move up four spots in the first round to take Manziel. Johnny Football — whoops, John Football — made plenty of (mostly bad) news off the field. On the field, he was a bust for Cleveland.

Targeting Heisman Trophy winner Griffin III, the Redskins sent three first-round selections and a second-rounder to the Rams, who were set at quarterback with former overall first pick Sam Bradford. The blockbuster move was ill-fated for Washington — RG3 hurt his knee at the end of his rookie season, leading to a downward spiral for his career. 

Atlanta dealt two first-rounders, a second-rounder and two fourth-rounders to Cleveland to move up 20 spots in Round 1. Jones, a six-time Pro Bowler, is one of the league's elite wideouts, with over 12,000 receiving yards in his nine years with the Falcons.

In a shocker, the Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels dealt second-, third- and fourth-round picks to the Ravens for the No. 25 overall pick. Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner at Florida in 2007, lasted two seasons in Denver. The quarterback's NFL career ended with the Jets in 2012.

The Jets moved first-, second- and fourth-round picks to the Browns to take Sanchez with the fifth overall pick. Sanchez and the Jets went to the AFC championship in his first two seasons. He has bounced around the league since, leaving the Jets after the 2012 season.

To select Cutler 11th overall, the Broncos traded first- and third-round picks to St. Louis to move up five spots in the first round. Cutler was productive in three seasons under coach Mike Shanahan. He was traded to the Bears in 2009.

Manning was considered the top quarterback in the 2004 draft, but he didn't want to play in San Diego. He got his wish, getting traded to the Giants, who had the fourth pick. In return, the Giants sent fourth overall pick Rivers, a third-round pick and future first- and fifth-rounders to San Diego.

The Steelers moved up from No. 27 to No. 16, sending the Chiefs first-, third- and sixth-round picks. Polamalu was a four-time All-Pro for the Steelers and is part of the 2020 Hall of Fame class, gaining entry in his first year of eligibility.

To move up four spots to pick Vick with the No. 1 overall section, the Falcons traded a first- and third-rounder and a future second-round pick to San Diego. The Chargers used the picks to select LaDainian Tomlinson in the first round and Drew Brees in the second.

Desperate for a lead back, New Orleans traded first-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks in 1999, along with first- and third-round picks in 2000, to the Redskins for the second overall pick. Williams had a productive NFL career but played only three seasons with the Saints.

San Diego sent two first-round picks, a second-round pick and two players to the Cardinals to move from No. 3 to No. 2 in the first round. Leaf, the player San Diego selected, sent the organization back years. Drafted after Peyton Manning went No. 1 overall to the Colts, Leaf is considered one of the biggest draft busts of all time. 

The lowly Rams moved up to the first overall selection to draft future Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace, giving the Jets  first-, third-, fourth- and seventh-round picks. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

The Chiefs moved up five spots, sending the Oilers their first-, third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks for a first-round pick (No. 13 overall) and a fourth-rounder. Gonzalez, who played 17 seasons between Kansas City and Atlanta, is arguably the best tight end of all time and was part of the 2019 Hall of Fame class.

The Rams moved defensive end Sean Gilbert to Washington for the sixth overall pick. St. Louis brushed Phillips' off-field issues aside to take the former Nebraska running back. He lasted just over one year with the Rams.

Cincinnati moved up four spots, trading the expansion Panthers the fifth overall pick and a second-round pick, to take Penn State running back Carter. Carter, who hurt his knee in his first preseason game, had only 227 carries over four seasons for the Bengals.

The Falcons thought they were getting a steal by trading 1991 second-round pick Brett Favre for the 17th overall pick in the 1992 draft. Green Bay got the last laugh, acquiring the future Hall of Fame quarterback for just one pick.

Dallas made its second huge draft trade in as many years, moving Ron Francis, David Howard, Eugene Lockhart and the 11th overall pick for the first overall pick. Defensive tackle Maryland, taken with the pick, played five seasons with the Cowboys, making one Pro Bowl. 

In a blockbuster trade with Atlanta, Indianapolis dealt Chris Hinton, Andre Rison, a 1990 fifth-round pick and 1991 first-round pick for the first overall pick, a fourth-round pick and a conditional pick. George, selected No. 1 overall, was 14-35 in four seasons with the Colts.

Jimmy Johnson set up the Cowboys dynasty with an unbelievable trade in 1990, moving star running back Herschel Walker and four draft picks to Minnesota for five players, three first-round picks, three second-round picks, a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick.

Dickerson was the top running back in the NFL, leading the league in rushing yards three times in his first four seasons. The Rams traded him to Indianapolis in a three-way trade midway through the 1987 season, receiving Greg Bell, Owen Hill, three first-round picks and three second-round picks. In the complicated deal, the Bills received linebacker Cornelius Bennett from Indianapolis for Bell, two future first-round picks and a future second-round pick. The Colts had been unable to sign Bennett, the second overall pick in the 1987 draft. The New York Times called it the "trade of the decade." 

San Francisco dealt its first- (No. 28), second- and third-round picks to the Patriots to move up to No. 16 overall. (The Niners also got a third-round pick from New England.) With the first-rounder, the Niners picked Rice, a Hall of Famer and the greatest wide receiver of all time.

Elway was drafted first overall by the Colts in 1983 but refused to play for them. The Broncos sent Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann and a first-round pick to Baltimore for his rights. He played 16 years in Denver, winning two championships and a Super Bowl MVP, and he now is the team's president and general manager.

Dallas traded the No. 14 overall pick and three second-round picks to the Seahawks for the second overall pick. Dorsett had eight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Dallas.

In a trade that helped Bears owner and coach George Halas revolutionize the game, Chicago sent All-Pro defensive end Ed Manske to Pittsburgh for the second overall pick, used to take Luckman. He led the Bears to four NFL titles.