NFL Draft: Five teams, five trade scenarios for Titans' No. 1 overall pick

As the owners of the first overall selection, the Tennessee Titans control the 2016 NFL Draft.

First-year general manager Jon Robinson and his staff will dictate how the top of this year’s draft plays out, either drafting a player at No. 1 or dealing the pick and acquiring assets in the process. Most teams would love the opportunity to move back a few spots and still draft a quality player while adding extra draft picks, but it takes two to trade.

Is there a team willing to sacrifice valuable picks (or players) for the chance to acquire the top pick, presumably to draft a quarterback? Maybe. Since 2002, the No. 1 overall pick has been dealt just once (2004, Eli Manning) so it isn’t a common occurrence. However, with the Cleveland Browns expected to draft a quarterback at No. 2, a team who has their heart set on a specific quarterback will need to leapfrog the Browns to ensure they can get their passer.

Odds are that the top pick won’t be dealt this year, but here are several possible scenarios if there is a trade.

Cleveland Browns

Current pick: No. 2
What it would likely take to trade to No. 1:

2016 first round pick (No. 2)
2016 third round pick (No. 65)

Why it makes sense: The Browns have to build a roster, but the priority is finding the right quarterback first and foremost. And if head coach Hue Jackson and the Cleveland front office identify a passer (likely Cal’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz) in this class who they feel can be a long-term starter, then that is the pick at No. 2. However, moving up one spot to guarantee the pick could be justified. For the Titans, it would be a no-brainer move.

Why it doesn’t make sense: The Browns have to build a roster. And instead of giving up a premium draft pick (and potential starter) to move up one spot, the shrewd move is to stick at No. 2 and go with the odds that the top pick won’t be dealt.

Dallas Cowboys

Current pick: No. 4
What it would likely take to trade to No. 1:

2016 first round pick (No. 4)
2016 second round pick (No. 34)
2016 sixth round pick (No. 189)

Why it makes sense: 36-year-old Tony Romo hasn’t started all 16 games in a season since 2012, including only four starts last season. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys aren’t planning on drafting in the top-five very often so the opportunity to secure the future of the position should be at least be a discussion in the war room.

Why it doesn’t make sense: With a small window remaining with Romo at the helm, the Cowboys are in position to draft an impact player at No. 4 who can contribute from day one. And it would take Dallas’ second rounder as well to move up, another potential starter in 2016. The NFC East is winnable division for the Cowboys right now.

San Francisco 49ers

Current pick: No. 7
What it would likely take to trade to No. 1:

2016 first round pick (No. 7)
2016 second round pick (No. 37)
2016 third round pick (No. 68)

Why it makes sense: In Chip Kelly’s three years in Philadelphia, the Eagles didn’t draft a quarterback in the top-three rounds. If he has a chance to get “his” guy in year one in San Francisco, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 49ers move up to the top spot. Goff is a bay-area native, but even more importantly, his quick mental processor as a passer is an ideal fit for Kelly’s system.

Why it doesn’t make sense: The haul of picks to trade up to No. 1 would likely take San Francisco out of the draft until day three, surrendering their top-three picks in the draft. The idea of securing the best quarterback is enticing, but there is still a chance Goff (or Wentz) could fall to them at No. 7.

Philadelphia Eagles

Current pick: No. 8
What it would likely take to trade to No. 1:

2016 first round pick (No. 8)
2017 first round pick
2016 third round pick (No. 79)

Why it makes sense: The Eagles are set in the short-term with Sam Bradford inked to a two-year deal, but need a long-term answer at the quarterback position. They have been doing their due diligence on the top quarterback prospects in this draft class and if they fall for one of them and don’t want to risk it, a move to the top spot makes some sense.

Why it doesn’t make sense: First of all, the price tag. Without a second round pick this year at their disposal, it would require a future first round selection to make the jump to No. 1. If one of the quarterbacks falls to pick No. 8, there is a good chance the Eagles would take advantage. But with the offseason signings of Bradford and Chase Daniel, Philadelphia has stopgaps and shouldn’t feel pressured to sell the farm in order to trade up.

Los Angeles Rams

Current pick: No. 15
What it would likely take to trade to No. 1:

2016 first round pick (No. 15)
2017 first round pick
2016 second round pick (No. 43)
2016 third round pick (No. 76)

Why it makes sense: As the organization makes the move to Los Angeles, the Rams could use a new face of the franchise. There is a lot of talent on the roster, except at the quarterback spot, which continues to be the weak spot on the depth chart. With two second round picks in this draft, the Rams might be able to keep one of them, taking some of the sting out of giving up so many valuable picks. For the Titans, it would be a gutsy move. But the thought of pick No. 15 (let’s say it is Jack Conklin) plus an extra second rounder, third rounder and future first rounder, that could be appealing for Tennessee.