So.....all this trading down talk. That's easy. Who would want to trade up to 13 is much, much trickier and a subject rarely breached on this board.
...and for what player ?? Who is going to be sitting there at #13 that teams are going to be jumping over one another to try and get to ?
This question will be easier to answer after FA when teams start filling in some of their holes but let start with the most obvious scenarios. Carolina picking at #14 needs a 4-3 DT very badly and passed on Fletcher Cox last year to take Keuchly. Sheldon Richardson or Shariff Floyd makes perfect sense for them. However, the Cowboys just switched to a 4-3 and we all know how important the 3 technique is to Monte's defense. The only way to ensure they get their DT is to trade up in front of the Panthers to #13 and the Bucs get the #18 pick and a 3rd and 5th rounder to move back.
The second scenario is that we all know that the Saints who are picking at #15 are switching to a 3-4 and need that mammoth NT and also some outside LBs. The Steelers and the Colts also have the same needs. Jonathon Hankins and/or Barkevious Mingo are on the board at #13. I can easily see the Steelers moving up from #17 as they need to replace Casey Hampton and with Dwight Freeney almost certain to leave in FA, the Colts could make a move up from # 24 and get their guy before the Saints if they feel they are only 1-2 players away from making a serious playoff push
Keep in mind that with the new rookie salary cap installed last year, it is ALOT less expensive for teams to trade up. There were a ton of trades in the first round last year and I expect that trend to continue
