Washington Football Team rumored to be among teams that could trade up

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Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Which teams could the Washington Football Team trade with to move up?

This is an important question to ask. It’s not just about the player that the team is targeting. It’s also about moving ahead of some of their rivals in the NFC East.

The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles hold the Nos. 10, 11, and 12 picks respectively. They aren’t likely to allow Washington to move up without paying a premium, so if Washington makes a trade, they’ll have to do so in the top nine or so picks.

Here are the most logical trade partners for them.

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Detroit Lions (No. 7 pick). The Lions are entering a full-fledged rebuild under Dan Campbell and have moved on from Matthew Stafford. They seem content to ride it out with Jared Goff for the time being, but they’re going to have to surround him with a lot of talent if they want to be competitive.

If the Lions aren’t gung-ho about the receivers on the board at No. 7, they could be willing to drop down to the 19th spot and target some of the linebackers that are on the board there while picking up extra draft capital. That type of move may cost Washington a future first-round pick, as all trades up into the top 10 would, but if they really love a receiver — or if Penei Sewell is unexpectedly available at seven — it could be worth it.

Carolina Panthers (No. 8 pick). The Panthers are also rebuilding a bit as they’re going to give Sam Darnold a chance to emerge as the starter in Carolina this year. Perhaps if the Panthers don’t want to add another receiver and think it’s a bit too early to take Jaycee Horn, they could try to swing a deal with Washington and target a guy like Greg Newsome II around the 19th pick.

Meanwhile, Washington would have a chance to shop around for a receiver with the eighth pick. That would give them a chance to snipe Smith ahead of the Giants and Eagles, who both have an interest in the Alabama products Smith and Waddle.

Denver Broncos (No. 9 pick). In my recent mock, I projected the Broncos to trade to the 20th overall pick in a swap with the Bears. They could be willing to pull a similar deal with Washington, especially if Denver isn’t a fan of the quarterbacks that remain on the board.

Denver could target a linebacker like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah while Washington could go for a receiver like Smith or a tackle like Slater at No. 9. Or if they really want a corner and Horn is off the board, they could take Patrick Surtain II one selection ahead of where the Cowboys are hoping to land him.

If Washington wants to get into the top 10, those are the three most realistic spots. The Atlanta Falcons’ No. 4 pick may be on the block as well, but the cost of acquiring that would be astronomical, so unless Rivera and Co. really want Sewell or Kyle Pitts, they’re unlikely to make that kind of move.

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