As we head towards the 2014 NFL Draft, it's time to start looking at teams at the top of the draft who are likely to move out of their luxurious top-10 slot in order to stockpile picks later to help build a deeper team.
After dissecting the teams and their respective needs amongst the top-10 teams picking next month, three teams really stood out as legitimate options to move out of the top of the draft; The Oakland Raiders, The Minnesota Vikings, and The Buffalo Bills.
Oakland Raiders, Fifth Overall
The Raiders head into the draft, seemingly every year, with a plethora of draft needs. Beginning with quarterback. While both Terrelle Pryor and rookie undrafted free agent Matt McGloin showed signs of capability last season, they didn't necessarily show ability. The Raiders also have needs at running back, wide receiver, offensive and defensive line. While the Raiders could pick up a core franchise player like Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack with the fifth overall selection, they would benefit themselves greater by sliding back into the 12-16 range.
This would enabled them to stockpile picks while landing a player like David Carr or Dee Ford. It would also allow them to acquire additional selections both later in the 2014 draft, as well as potentially the 2015 draft. Reggie McKenzie may be drafting for his job next month, and one big miss early on May 8th could spell the beginning of the end of his tenure in Oakland.
The Minnesota Vikings, Eighth Overall
The Vikings had quite the draft in 2013, landing stud defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, as well as Gerald Hodges, a linebacker who contributed both at the WILL and on special teams last season. General Manager Rick Spielman did a great job of maneuvering up and down the draft in 2013, and acquired some key parts for his franchise moving forward.
In 2014, Spielman has a similar opportunity; his Vikings hold the eighth overall selection, and while quarterback remains their biggest need, Minnesota could move back 8-10 spots and land another pass rusher, a wide receiver, or even another defensive back.
Quarterbacks such as Blake Bortles, David Carr, and Teddy Bridgewater all are very tempting options for teams selecting the Top-10 of the draft, but much like Oakland at fifth overall, Minnesota would be smart to move back and look at other areas of need, while landing a quarterback like Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger in the second or third round.
The Buffalo Bills, Ninth Overall
The Bills ignited their fan base by trading back with the Rams last April and hopefully selecting Florida State product EJ Manuel to quarterback their franchise into the future. That didn't necessarily go as planned, as Manuel struggled with injuries during the season which naturally halted his ability to grow as a rookie in Doug Marrone's offense.
The Bills are in need of an offensive lineman, and possibly an additional pass rusher, but could benefit once again by moving back into the draft, and landing a player like Dee Ford or a safety like HaHa Clinton-Dix.
Some possible trade partners to look out for who are potentially looking to move into the top-10 are the Philadelphia Eagles, a team in need of a young pass rusher, could be looking at a player like Anthony Barr (LB, UCLA) or a premiere safety talent like HaHa Clinton-Dix around ninth or 10th overall.
Also, the Giants may look to move into the top-10 if Texas A&M left tackle Jake Matthews happens to slip. Miami, Chicago and Baltimore are also teams that could move up based on their projected draft boards.