2018 NFL Mock Draft: Impact of recent trades and signings

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Trade Alert

Any mock draft that focuses on the impact of the recent trades and free agent signings would be incomplete without another trade. The Buffalo Bills moved up to No. 12 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and dealt franchise quarterback Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns.

Thus, the Bills are all but guaranteed to make another move—namely one that would enable it to select the quarterback whom they believe can lead the organization into the future.

The Denver Broncos could stay here and select a quarterback of its own, but it recently handed a two-year deal worth upwards of $36 million to Case Keenum. The length of the deal implies that Denver will still draft a quarterback, but that may be put off until the second or third round.

Thus, while selecting a player such as Minkah Fitzpatrick would be appealing, walking away with two first-round draft picks and an additional third would be a great haul.

As for Buffalo, this is all worth the price of doing business. It traded up to No. 12 by giving up the No. 21 pick and a Pro Bowl offensive tackle in Cordy Glenn, and it made sure to retain the No. 22 pick for the very purpose of moving even further up the board.

The only remaining question at this point is a matter of what the Bills should do with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.