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Trades that had the biggest effect on the NFL Draft
The Saints gave up a huge bounty to move up and draft Ricky Williams fifth overall in 1999. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Trades that had the biggest effect on the NFL Draft

There are few things more exciting in sports than a blockbuster NFL trade — especially those that affect the draft. Here are the most impactful trades in NFL draft history.

 
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2018: Ravens trade up for Lamar Jackson

2018: Ravens trade up for Lamar Jackson
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
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2017: Texans trade up for Deshaun Watson

2017: Texans trade up for Deshaun Watson
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
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2017: Chiefs trade up for Patrick Mahomes

2017: Chiefs trade up for Patrick Mahomes
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
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2017: Bears trade up for Mitchell Trubisky

2017: Bears trade up for Mitchell Trubisky
Elsa/Getty Images

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.

 
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2015: Chargers trade up for Melvin Gordon

2015: Chargers trade up for Melvin Gordon
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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.

 
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2014: Browns trade up for Johnny Manziel

2014: Browns trade up for Johnny Manziel
Elsa/Getty Images

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.

 
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2012: Redskins trade up for Robert Griffin III

2012: Redskins trade up for Robert Griffin III
Chris Chambers/Getty Images

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. 

 
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2011: Falcons trade up for Julio Jones

2011: Falcons trade up for Julio Jones
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

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.

 
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2010: Broncos trade up for Tim Tebow

2010: Broncos trade up for Tim Tebow
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

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.

 
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2009: Jets trade up for Mark Sanchez

2009: Jets trade up for Mark Sanchez
Al Pereira/Getty Images

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.

 
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2006: Broncos trade up for Jay Cutler

2006: Broncos trade up for Jay Cutler
Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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.

 
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2004: Chargers and Giants swap Eli Manning and Philip Rivers

2004: Chargers and Giants swap Eli Manning and Philip Rivers
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

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.

 
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2003: Steelers trade up for Troy Polamalu

2003: Steelers trade up for Troy Polamalu
George Gojkovich/Getty Images

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.

 
14 of 29

2001: Falcons trade up for Michael Vick

2001: Falcons trade up for Michael Vick
Gabe Palacio/Hulton Archive

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.

 
15 of 29

1999: Saints trade up for Ricky Williams

1999: Saints trade up for Ricky Williams
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

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.

 
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1998: Chargers trade up for Ryan Leaf

1998: Chargers trade up for Ryan Leaf
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

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. 

 
17 of 29

1997: Rams trade up for Orlando Pace

1997: Rams trade up for Orlando Pace
Al Bello/Getty Images

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.

 
18 of 29

1997: Chiefs trade up for Tony Gonzalez

1997: Chiefs trade up for Tony Gonzalez
Robert B. Stanton/Getty Images

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.

 
19 of 29

1996: Rams trade Sean Gilbert for sixth overall pick (Lawrence Phillips)

1996: Rams trade Sean Gilbert for sixth overall pick (Lawrence Phillips)
Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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.

 
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1995: Bengals trade up for Ki-Jana Carter

1995: Bengals trade up for Ki-Jana Carter
Focus on Sport/Getty Images

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.

 
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1992: Packers trade first-round pick for Brett Favre

1992: Packers trade first-round pick for Brett Favre
Bruce Dierdorff/Getty Images

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.

 
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1991: Cowboys trade up for Russell Maryland

1991: Cowboys trade up for Russell Maryland
Markus Boesch/Getty Images

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. 

 
23 of 29

1990: Colts trade up for Jeff George

1990: Colts trade up for Jeff George
Rogers Photo Archive/Getty Images

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.

 
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1990: Cowboys trade Herschel Walker for draft picks

1990: Cowboys trade Herschel Walker for draft picks
Focus on Sport/Getty Images

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.

 
25 of 29

1987: Rams trade Eric Dickerson

1987: Rams trade Eric Dickerson
Focus on Sport/Gety Images

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." 

 
26 of 29

1985: 49ers trade up for Jerry Rice

1985: 49ers trade up for Jerry Rice
:Peter Brouillet/Getty Images

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.

 
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1984: Broncos trade for John Elway

1984: Broncos trade for John Elway
Rogers Photo Archive/Getty Images

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.

 
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1977: Cowboys trade up for Tony Dorsett

1977: Cowboys trade up for Tony Dorsett
Focus on Sport/Getty Images

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.

 
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1939: Bears trade for Sid Luckman

1939: Bears trade for Sid Luckman
Vic Stein/Getty Images

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.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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