Man I hope we trade down.

[Matthias]

There will be a team that falls in love with Gabbert, hopefully that team won't be the Panthers, and we will be able to trade out for a couple of picks. Trading with the Bengals would be the best option, because there will still be an excellent defensive draft choice at that spot. (More than likely Peterson will survive through Denver's choice. Unless we sign Asomugha before the draft, Peterson would be my pick there.)

[Happy Panther]

Same reason we fell in love with Armanti Edwards

[JawnyBlaze]

If we could pick up a top 5 pick in the 2nd round to move down within the top 5 I'd be happy. And Cam's hype train is similar to Vick's. Same pros, mostly the same cons. Vick might not have only had 1 year to go off of, but he also didn't have the height, weight, and likeability that Cam has. There's a very good chance someone falls in love with him enough to trade their second to move up. Like people have said, it only takes one. If the trade is down to like #9 or lower, then yea it's gonna take more than a 2nd.

Falcons only had to give up a second to move from 5 to 1 when they got vick... and he was the consensus #1 exciting prospect... is there one of those this year?

[MHS831]

Trading down is a fantasy. Why in the hell would anybody want to trade INTO this pick when everyone basically agrees there's no one player worth the #1 pick - not to mention the price tag that comes along with it.

If the wage scale were in place I'd say it was at least feasible, but even if the CBA does get done before the draft, the rookie wage scale won't go into effect until next year. No teams wants any of these players THAT bad to give up a 2nd and/or 3rd (much less a 1st) to move up and assume that kind of contract. If Luck were here, yeah, we could move the pick easily. He's not and nobody who is will generate the kind of interest that causes teams to give up picks to move up.

I wish we could trade down, too, but it's not happening unless they throw us a major curveball and the CBA is done before the draft AND includes a rookie wage scale that takes effect immediately. The CBA may get done, but the scale won't begin immediately. No way that happens. We're taking SOMEONE with this pick.

Good points, and the players are pretty even. If you have multiple needs, why trade up? Our only hope is if a team falls in love with Newton or Gabbert, but not both. Or is it...?

One name that is rarely discussed, however, is OLB Von Miller. Some say he is the best talent in the draft. 3-4 Defenses need pass-rushing OLBs in the worst way. Miller ran a 4.56 and he is a stallion when it comes to pressuring the passer. New England has more picks than needs. Do they give us picks 17, 28, and 33 and some late rounders to move up? Not their MO, but they feel themselves slipping a bit. If somehow we threw in a trade for Steve Smith and or DW, their needs would be OL and LB. Things have ways of working out. It would take a lot to get those two, but they have the chips.

Bottom line: This is a crazy year and we have no idea what will happen. However, if the Panthers are willing to make a deal and will take credit (a second rounder and a 2012 pick), it could happen.

Possible partners (guess)

Cincinnati: If Brown decides that Carson Palmer is serious, he may move him. An organization with a QB that doesn't want to play for them? Remember Kerry Collins? You have to get rid of that QB. They can get a replacement in the draft if they trade with us. Do we want Palmer's contract? They probably aren't getting a namebrand QB in free agency. Would you go there if you were a QB?

Arizona: Desperate for a QB, I expect them to trade for Kolb or bring in another veteran. However, they could love Newton or Gabbert and decide they want in. Since Buffalo and Cincinnati pick before we do, they could decide they do not want to take a chance. Seriously, I think they like Skelton's poential and want to bring him along. Doubt they move up.

San Francisco: Figure out this organization. Maybe Harbaugh wants to keep Alex Smith and bring in a rookie to groom . I find this very likely. They have a lot of picks this year and not as many needs as other top 10 drafters. 7 spaces would cost them a second rounder and more, but if we accepted a 2010 second rounder as well, I would do it.

Tennessee: They have Collins, but he is older than dirt and they still need to sign him. A great situation to bring in a QB to learn for a year. Take the Titan's second rounder this year and a first rounder in 2012 and move down.

Washington, Minnesota, Miami: These teams are interested in a QB in the worst way, but have too many needs to give us enough to drop past the eighth pick. I think it would be a mistake to drop, but if they offer a sweet deal, you could sit there and hope a player drops. Worst case scenario? You get Amukamara or Julio Jones. You would get a second rounder (Miami doesn't have one) and some picks in the later rounds and maybe next year.

We want trade offers. That is why we are announcing comments about Clausen not being the starter, bringing in Gabbert and Newton and praising them in the press, etc. Half the league (including us) is desperate for a QB.

[stirs]

First, according to the NFL network, this year would be ripe for trades due to the fact that a rookie salary cap "will" be in place when these guys are signed.

I am thinking the key might not be the QB's. It might be Denver. What does Denver need that someone else cannot do without. PP or Von Miller might be the two that someone jumps in front of Denver for. Cincinatti is still the most likely candidate. If Carson retires, they will need something to get the crowd excited. Slight chance of AZ.

do not think TN will move up for Cam after the VY saga.

SF not moving up for one of these two QB's either.

[MHS831]

I am thinking the key might not be the QB's. It might be Denver. What does Denver need that someone else cannot do without. PP or Von Miller might be the two that someone jumps in front of Denver for. Cincinatti is still the most likely candidate. If Carson retires, they will need something to get the crowd excited. Slight chance of AZ.

.

Good point about Denver and what they could want. Everyone assumes DL with the Broncos, but you could be right. Buffalo is another possible Miller team, so maybe the door could be opened by a team seeking Miller.

As for Peterson, less likely. First overall CB and the presence of Amukamara. However, I understand that the combine put some distance between the two. THe draft is not deep in big, physical CBs. Maybe.

As for Tenn, I thought so too. However, don't forget that VY's style attracted them, it was VY who turned them off. Cam is not VY between the ears. Not sure the difference is an upgrade, however.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, my biggest worry about trying to trade down is the fact that teams could probably trade with Denver for slightly cheaper. The only thing preventing that is if Denver is unwilling to trade or if they think we'll take their player, and if they think that then why (in their mind) would we trade the pick to them?

[TheRealDeal]

Yea, that's a fine plan for making our defense, which is already at worst middle of the road, into a top defense. The biggest problem is that it doesn't address our offense, which is the worst in the league. Not as many offensive players available in the 3rd and later that will make an impact as defensive players.

Bears hosted the NFC championship game with a great defense and a terrible offense, ranked 30th I believe.

Our offense will be middle of the road at worst next season with the exact same roster we have this year, minus Clausen playing at all. Pair that with a top defense and we will be a force.

[JawnyBlaze]

If we pick up Palmer or some other good FA QB our offense can be middle of the road. Not with anyone that's ever played for us before, unless Jimmy makes significant improvement.

[Bj-Monster23]

What we can really hope for is 3 teams like Bills,Bengals, and Cardinals to trade to our pick and give us there pick and a second round pick. That way we will still be in a good situation to take an impact player.If these 3 teams dont make the trade for us we want trade out of the number 1 pick. I wouldnt want to trade down no far then 6 or 7. Also my two surprise picks if we trade down is Von Miller and Robert Quinn.Witch is two impact players Rivera would love to have on defense.

Also our best hope for the trade might be the bengals and cardinals.. Because if we dont take the QB witch ever one the bills might want will fall to them.Because the Broncos arent going to take one.Or unless there is a specific player they think denver might want.

[mav1234]

kinda depends... our offense can be middle of the road with moore if the running game isn't sucking. he's shown that he is a decent quarterback when he's got backup.

Palmer would instantly elevate the level of our offense though.

[Catalyst]

From what I hear, Moore isn't even a lock to be healthy by camp, even if we do re-sign him. His tender won't last once the CBA is worked out.

[JawnyBlaze]

I wish Moore had more personal drive to be good. That's the only thing I can think of for following up a fantastic last 5 games of 09 with the garbage he showed on the field in 2010. I was completely behind Moore as our starter going into 2010, and man did he let us down. His Giants game was almost up there with Jake's Eagles game for worst season openers. I'd be a little surprised for him to be on the team when the regular season starts.

[dtmw78]

Not a good year to have the first pick.

With no real elite QB prospect to go after I can't see anyone wanting to spend a second to move up.

If Luck had of declared it would be a different story but then we wouldn't be looking to trade the pick.