The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable editions in recent years, particularly at the top of the order. With no consensus franchise quarterback other than Fernando Mendoza driving aggressive moves, front offices are approaching their strategies with caution.
Several teams holding premium picks are now exploring ways to move down and accumulate additional assets. However, early indications suggest that executing those plans may not be straightforward. According to insider Albert Breer, this year’s market dynamics are creating an unusual standstill.
Giants Among Five Teams Attempting to Trade Down in 2026 NFL Draft
In his latest report for Sports Illustrated, NFL Insider Albert Breer shed light on a growing trend among the top teams looking to slide down the draft board. While the motivation is clear, adding more picks to address multiple roster needs, the challenge lies in finding willing trade partners.
“Teams picking behind the Jets are looking to move down,” Breer noted in his report. “Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns, and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up.”
Breer’s report certainly highlights a key issue with this year’s class: the lack of elite QB prospects. Traditionally, teams are willing to trade up into the top 10 to secure a signal-caller they believe can transform their franchise. But with this draft lacking that kind of clear-cut QB talent, the urgency to move up has, safe to say, perhaps diminished.
Instead, Breer pointed to a different group of prospects who could potentially spark some movement. Players like Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love have drawn attention as high-impact talents, though not necessarily at positions that typically trigger top-10 trades.
At a broader level, many teams appear content to stay put. Holding a top-10 selection still guarantees access to premium talent, even in a relatively weaker class.
For franchises like the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders, standing pat may ultimately prove more practical than forcing a trade without proper value.
From a performance standpoint, PFSN’s Offense Impact Metrics underline why several of these teams are open to accumulating more picks. The Giants with a 70.7 OFFi (C- grade), finishing 24th, while the Cardinals recorded a similar 71.4 OFFi (C-) and ranked 22nd. The Browns and Titans had even tougher seasons offensively, finishing 32nd and 30th, respectively, with OFFi scores of 52.0 and 57.0, both earning F grades.
These numbers reflect widespread offensive struggles across multiple teams now seeking more draft capital to rebuild. Breer further emphasized that the lack of urgency at the top of the draft could shift activity elsewhere.
“At this point, for teams picking that high, it’s going to be challenging to find partners to move into that range,” Breer added. “It’s more likely that we’ll get more movement in the middle of the first round than we do at the top of it.”
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As draft day approaches, the expectation is that movement will eventually materialize — but perhaps not where many initially anticipated. With fewer teams willing to trade up into the top tier, the middle of the first round could become the true hotspot for deals.
For franchises like the Giants and others exploring trade-down scenarios, patience may be key as they wait for the market to develop and opportunities to emerge.
