The NFL Draft becomes a frenzy of bold moves and backroom deals every spring. And sometimes, this also means a franchise has to roll the dice. Trades fly in from every direction, and some to climb the board for that next generational talent. Meanwhile, others are looking to draft a proven star. Some moves make great history, while others flop. But all of them are unforgettable chapters in NFL history.
Which are the Biggest Draft-Day Trades in NFL History?
1. Philadelphia Eagles Land A.J. Brown (2022)
This is hands down one of the slickest heists in recent draft memory. The Eagles went on to take A.J. Brown from the Titans during the 2022 NFL Draft. Philly sent a first- and third-rounder to Tennessee, then immediately signed Brown to a $100 million deal. And the gamble paid off.
Brown was absolutely brilliant alongside DeVonta Smith. He even gained 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in two seasons. Meanwhile, the Titans were struggling with Treylon Burks and a trio of role players. Philly got its star; Tennessee is still searching for one.
2. Washington Moves Up for Robert Griffin III (2012)
The hype around RG3 in 2012 was palpable. And Washington paid a king’s ransom to land him at No. 2. They shipped out three first-round picks and a second to the Rams. Initially, this seemed like a great move. Griffin was good in his rookie year, leading the team to a division title. But injuries quickly changed the course of his career. Meanwhile, St. Louis parlayed the haul into various contributors, including Michael Brockers and Janoris Jenkins.
3. Kansas City Chiefs Grab Future HOFer Tony Gonzalez (1997)
Kansas City traded up five spots in 1997 to get Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez is hands down one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. They gave up a few mid-round picks to the Oilers but landed a generational talent in return. Gonzalez made over 15,000 yards and 111 touchdowns, earning 14 Pro Bowl nods. The Oilers, on the other hand, got quantity but not the Gonzalez kind.
4. Emmitt Smith Convinces Dallas Cowboys to Move Up (1990)
The Cowboys slid four slots in the 1990 draft to take Emmitt Smith. This gave the Steelers a third-rounder in the process. What did Dallas get? Only the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Smith delivered over a decade of greatness that included three Super Bowl rings. On the other hand, Pittsburgh missed out on a back who would define an era.
5. Atlanta Falcons Strike for Julio Jones (2011)
The Falcons went all-in for Julio Jones, trading away five picks to the Browns to jump from 27 to 6 in 2011. Critics questioned the price they were paying, but Jones proved all of them wrong. He went on to make seven 1,000-yard seasons and earned multiple All-Pro nods. He is now in the Hall of Fame conversation.
6. New Orleans Saints Give Up Everything for Ricky Williams (1999)
Mike Ditka traded every Saints pick in 1999 and two in 2000 to move up for Ricky Williams. The result was a bizarre marriage with a magazine cover depicting Ditka and Williams in wedding attire. Unfortunately, the union didn’t last. Williams had good days but couldn’t rescue a doomed Saints team. Washington, meanwhile, turned their picks into stars like Champ Bailey and LaVar Arrington.
7. New England Patriots Get Randy Moss for Pennies (2007)
The Raiders were done with Randy Moss. So they decided to unload him to New England for a measly fourth-rounder. Now that was a bad idea. Moss reworked his contract, meshed instantly with Tom Brady, and made 23 touchdowns in 2007. Oakland used that pick on CB John Bowie, who played just five games in his career.
8. The Eli Manning–Philip Rivers Swap (2004)
Eli Manning didn’t want to play for the Chargers, so draft day became a movie. The Giants got Manning. The Chargers got Philip Rivers, plus three extra picks. It was one of the rare trades that worked out for both sides. Eli brought two Super Bowl rings to New York. Rivers gave San Diego 16 seasons of top-tier QB play. It was a real win-win.
KEEP READING: Ranking the NFL Draft Classes That Produced the Most Hall of Fame Players
9. San Francisco Moves Up for Jerry Rice (1985)
The 49ers traded from No. 28 to No. 16 in the 1985 NFL Draft. They targeted a relatively unknown wideout from Mississippi Valley State named Jerry Rice. The deal with the Patriots flew under the radar then, but later, it was considered an absolute masterclass. Rice broke every receiving record in the book, won three Super Bowls, and earned a spot in Canton as arguably the greatest wide receiver ever.
10. Vikings Acquire Herschel Walker in a Historic Misstep (1989)
When the Vikings sent a king’s ransom to Dallas for running back Herschel Walker, they thought they were one piece away from a Super Bowl. But they really did hand the foundation of a 1990s Cowboys dynasty on a silver plate. Dallas turned the haul of picks into stars like Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, and Russell Maryland. It’s one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history and a cautionary tale.
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