Could the 2012 Draft set a new record for first round trades?

As the draft gets ever nearer, the trade talks continue to heat up for some teams. Even the Ravens have been mentioned as potential movers. Some experts are predicting as many as 15 trades will occur in the first round.

First there are the Vikings who are desperately seeking to trade out of pick 3. word is that they dont like Kalil much and would rather have Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon, but dont feel the need to stay at 3 and would rather trade down and take their chances. The Jets have been looking to make a splash in the draft for years and might even consider going for broke to get Trent Richardson, Similar to the Falcons trade last year(although not quite as many spots to trade up though).

Next up at 5 is the Buccaneers( I think that unless someone makes a move for Richardson the Browns will stay put), Teams are reportedly itching to trade up to 5 to get Miss St. DT Fletcher Cox. The Rams are reportedly very high on Cox and believed to be targeting him with the 6th pick, meaning teams like the Eagles, Cowboys and Panthers would be out of luck if they were trying to get Cox.

And speaking of the Rams. I havent heard anyone report this, but wouldnt it make sense for them to trade Steven Jackson away for a 3rd rounder to some contending team where Jackson might be happier(he want a new contract) and then use that third rounder, and maybe a fourth or next years 3rd to trade up to 3 with the Vikings and take Richardson? It seems like that would be a Win-Win move for both Jackson, who is tired of losing, and The Rams, who are tired of Jackson being injured and complaining about money?

At 8 we have the Dolphins, who are pretty much being locked in to taking Ryan Tannehill by their fan base(if The Dolphins dont select him there might be riots in Miami). Other teams are well aware of this and could be making a move up to get him. Seattle and Dallas both come to ind as teams who could potentially make a deal with the Jags(also desperate to move down as their most coveted player seems to be Stephon Gilmore).

The Buffalo Bills are going to take the top player left, but if the Vikes pass on Kalil, he could potnetially still be there at 10(Browns dont need/want him, the Bucs have to much invested in their current Ts, The Rams have spent early rounders on Tackles in 4 of the last 5 and have a lot of money in the position already, The Jags are looking defense, The Dolphins have Jake Long and are looking at Tannehill, and the Panthers have a ridiculous amount of money tied up with Jordan Gross. That means that a Tackle needy team in the 10-20 range could jump up to 9(the Panthers wouldnt mind trading down to get more picks if Fletcher Cox is gone) and take Kalil before the Bills do.

The Seahawks have been gamblers under Pete Carroll and are reportedly in the market for a trade. The Eagles and Jets want to go up, the Cardinals want to go down(the are supposedly interesting in Jonathan Martin who would be a reach at 13).

The Titans want down, the Browns want a WR and could potentially move up to get Michael Floyd, The Steelers and Broncos both are looking to trade down, The Steelers because they want more picks, the Broncos because they want to have an extra pick to use on Brandon Weedon or Brock Osweiler. It is a pretty safe bet that the Patriots will trade at least one of their first rounders, The Ravens might want to go up, the 49ers might want to go either up to get a WR, or down a few spots to get Amini Silatolu.

There are also several teams in the early second that could be looking to trade up for a sliding player like Mercilus, Hill or maybe Alshon Jeffery.

That is a lot of Trading. There are always a ton of trade talks leading up to the draft, but this is the first time i can remember when there is so much talk inside the top ten. The Rookie Salary cap has put an end to the top 10 being off limits due to price and it very well may cause a massive spike in draft day trades.

The Record for first round deals is 12. I’ll set the over/under at 11, tell me what you think?

My Guess? i say we get a new record this year, 13 trades.

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