The 2024 NFL Draft saw a number of surprising trades take place across the three-day event. The first round on Thursday, April 25 saw a significant amount of trade activity. The Minnesota Vikings traded up to the 10th overall pick, acquiring QB J.J. McCarthy and the 203rd pick from the New York Jets in exchange for the 11th overall pick, OT Olu Fashanu, and picks 129 and 157. The Vikings made another trade to move up to the 17th pick, acquiring LB Dallas Turner from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for WR Brian Thomas Jr., the 167th pick, and future picks in the third and fourth rounds of 2025.
The Detroit Lions made a move to secure the 24th overall pick, selecting CB Terrion Arnold, by trading with the Dallas Cowboys, who received picks 29 and 73 in return. The Kansas City Chiefs also traded up to the 28th pick, drafting WR Xavier Worthy, by sending picks 32, 133, and 248 to the Buffalo Bills who received DT DeWayne Carter and 221 in return. The Carolina Panthers made a move into the first round by acquiring the 32nd pick from the Bills, selecting WR Xavier Legette in exchange for WR Keon Coleman and pick 141.
In rounds 2-3 on Friday, April 26, more trades took place. The Los Angeles Chargers moved up to the 34th pick, drafting WR Ladd McConkey, by sending picks 37 and 110 to the New England Patriots, who received WR Ja’Lynn Polk and WR Javon Baker. The Atlanta Falcons traded up to the 35th pick, selecting DE Ruke Orhorhoro, in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who received picks 43 and 79, which were later traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Los Angeles Rams made a move to secure the 39th overall pick, drafting DT Braden Fiske, by trading with the Carolina Panthers, who received picks 52 and 155, as well as a future second-round pick. The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to the 40th pick, selecting DB Cooper DeJean, by sending picks 78 and 152 to the Washington Commanders, who received CB Mike Sainristil, TE Ben Sinnott, and pick 161. The New Orleans Saints traded up to the 41st pick, drafting DB Kool-Aid McKinstry, by sending picks 45, 168, and 190 to the Green Bay Packers.
In rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 27, the trading continued. The Indianapolis Colts moved up to the 79th pick, selecting OT Matt Goncalves, in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who received TE Tip Reiman and pick 191. The Green Bay Packers also traded up to the 111th pick, drafting DB Evan Williams, by sending picks 126 and 190 to the New York Jets. These trades and others throughout the draft showcased the strategic maneuvers teams make to secure the players they believe will make a difference for their organizations in the future.
