New York Giants trading No. 2 pick? Let’s examine potential scenarios

Trading out of the No. 2 slot in the 2018 NFL Draft is an option that has to be on the table for the New York Giants. Let’s put several plausible trade-down options in one place for your consideration. All of these trade-down scenarios are based off the idea that the Giants, as many have indicated, have only one quarterback they would select at No. 2, and the Cleveland Browns took that QB first overall.

The asking prices in the trade scenarios below are mine. They are simply suggested prices based loosely on the traditional trade value chart to give an idea of what the potential return might be.

Browns at No. 4

Potential asking price: Cleveland’s picks at Nos. 4, 33 or 35, and 64.

Why the Giants would do it: Because they could still get one of the triumvirate of Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb and Quenton Nelson at No. 4 and would then have five selections stockpiled between either No. 33 or No. 34 and No. 69 in the draft. With that many picks, the Giants could add lots of talent, or maneuver to move back up for a player or two they really want.

Why the Browns would do it: This is the “have your cake and eat it, too” scenario for Cleveland GM John Dorsey. This way, he gets the quarterback of his choice AND guarantees he gets to pick between Barkley to add to his QB and complement a wide receiving corps led by Jarvis Landry or Bradley Chubb to bookend with Myles Garrett at defensive end.

Denver Broncos at No. 5

Potential asking price: Denver’s picks at Nos. 5, 40, 113 (Round 4) and a 2019 second-rounder. I’m not sure this is nearly as enticing as what the Giants could get from Cleveland for the fourth pick.

Why the Giants would do it: Again, because they could add picks and likely still get either Chubb or Quenton Nelson.

Why the Broncos would do it: Quarterback, silly! Denver signed Case Keenum, but it’s hard to believe they are sold on him being their long-term franchise guy. Denver figures to have a shot at one or more of Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen if they just stay at No. 5. If they have a guy they really, really want and the Browns don’t take him, maybe John Elway would be willing to move up.

Buffalo Bills at 12 (or elsewhere)

Potential asking price (if Buffalo stays at No. 12): Picks No, 12, 22, 53, 56 AND a 2019 first-round pick.

Why the Giants would do it: As with the scenarios above, this is about the volume. This would give the Giants seven picks (two No. 1s, three No. 2s, two No. 3s) in the first 69 — if they are willing to drop out of the top 10. They could add a lot of talent with that many picks. This also helps them set up their 2019 draft. Of course, with all of those picks they might even be able to move back up No. 6 (Indianapolis Colts) or No. 7 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) if a player they covet is still sitting there.

Why the Bills would do it: At the flagship, Geoff Schwartz made the case that one way or another Buffalo has to get to the No. 2 pick because the Bills have no choice in this draft but to select a guy who could be their franchise quarterback. Buffalo might have to leap frog to No. 5 or No. 6 first to entice the Giants. That would, obviously, change the compensation.

Other potential scenarios

The draft is an unpredictable, untamable beast. Try as we might to figure out all of the possibilities there will always be surprises. Here are a couple of trade-down scenarios that are probably less likely than the ones already mentioned, but are worth at least mentioning.

Miami Dolphins at No. 11

Potential asking price: Miami’s picks at Nos. 11, 42 (Round 2), 123 (Round 4) AND a 2019 first-round pick.

Why the Giants would do it: If they are willing to drop down that far they could end up with five picks between 11 and 69, and a second first-round pick in 2019. They miss out on Barkley-Chubb-Nelson, but can add pieces that help in 2018 and set themselves up for the 2019 draft, as well.

Why the Dolphins would do it: The Jay Cutler experience. Which followed the Ryan Tannehill experience. And the idea that if Miami doesn’t do something, they are going to end up either living through another round of the Tannehill experience or facing the Brock Osweiler experience.

Arizona Cardinals at 15

Potential asking price: Arizona’s picks at Nos. 15, 47 (Round 2), 79 (Round 3) AND a 2019 first-round pick.

Why the Giants would do it: I have to be honest, I’m not really sure they would do this. If I was GM Dave Gettleman, I wouldn’t. Dropping from No. 2 to No. 15 is too far — unless there is a deal in place to move back to No. 6 or No. 7. This would give the Giants five picks in Rounds 2 and 3, and a second 2019 first-round pick, but it’s my least-favorite scenario of all of these.

Why Arizona would do it: Because their quarterbacks are Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon. That can’t make first-year head coach Steve Wilks feel good about his long-term job security.