NFL Trade Value Guide: 155 Players Worth a First — SkimNews
SkimNews Take
Listing 155 players as worth "at least one first-round pick" is itself the signal: the benchmark unit of measurement has inflated, meaning draft capital now functions as a routinely liquid asset rather than a precious scarcity.
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- Josh Allen is valued at seven first-round picks — the highest in the league — after topping a poll of league executives as the NFL's best QB and not missing a start since 2018
- Drake Maye commands six first-round picks after coming within votes of MVP in his second season; the 23-year-old remains a year from contract extension eligibility
- The Rams acquired Myles Garrett from the Browns by trading three picks plus Jared Verse, a deal illustrating how players can substitute for draft picks under the current CBA's three-year pick-trading window
- Sauce Gardner was traded for two first-round picks while Dexter Lawrence II went to the Bengals for the No. 10 selection, both moves reflecting teams aggressively targeting proven pass rushers and defensive disruptors even when older
- Patrick Paul is identified as the Dolphins' best building block amid their post-Tua Tagovailoa rebuild, with the 24-year-old left tackle entering his second year as a starter in 2026
- Christian Gonzalez is valued at two first-round picks — above the Sauce Gardner market rate — for combining elite man coverage with better tackling and run defense
Why it matters: The trade market has shifted toward proven defensive stars — Dexter Lawrence, Sauce Gardner, and Myles Garrett all moved for premium picks in the past year, even when older than typical targets. For teams holding elite QBs like Allen (seven first-rounders) or Maye (six), the message is the same: don't expect a call back.
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