The NFL draft is coming Thursday and trade rumors have been coming out all week leading into the first round and names like Mike Glennon, Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallett, Kirk Cousins , LaMichael James, Mark Ingram, Andre Johnson and Mike Wallace all could be involved in deals if their teams decide to move up or down or try to get more draft picks, as the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders and Jaguars all could be in the mix for a QB.
Cousins and Ponder have been mentioned numerous times in trade rumors this offseason and while Washington and Minnesota has not yet pulled off a deal, it doesn't mean that teams aren't interested and it doesn't mean it can't happen at some point over the three days in the draft. The Redskins are more likely than the Vikings to make a move, as they have a solid backup now in Colt McCoy and with the team not having a first round pick after trading it to the Rams for RG3, they could look to get something back heading into the draft for Cousins.
Cousins has had more playing time than Mallett, but each could be potential options for teams in need of a quarterback, especially if they are not comfortable drafting one of the top names in the first round or the top 10. The Cleveland Browns, Jaguars and Oakland Raiders are all in the top five and need quarterbacks for the future and with the questions marks on Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater, the teams could look to draft someone like Sammy Watkins while making a trade later on for Glennon, Cousins or Mallett.
Glennon showed off his big arm last season in limited time for the Buccaneers and while the team was near the bottom of the league in passing yards per game, it was more on the team than on Glennon. Lovie Smith is the new head coach in Tampa and he was not the one who drafted Glennon and that could be one reason why he could go through with a trade. Glennon is an option for teams because he could be a batter prospect than some of the players in the draft and he also has NFL experience that he can point to. Glennon was a third round pick last season and he passed for over 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine picks and he also has a cannon for an arm that teams like.
Mallett, Cousins and Glennon all are trade bait because their teams don't "need" them and would love to add more draft picks. The Redskins are lacking one after trading it for RG3 a couple years ago, while the Patriots always are looking to add more picks. The Patriots could look to trade Mallett since he is coming into the last year of his contract and also because the Pats are smart when it comes to backup QBs and when to add draft picks. Cousins could net a third or fourth round pick according to some scouts and he is likely the top option of the trio above Glennon.
