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Report: Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams Want to Trade Down

Mike Florio over at Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Houston Texans, owners of the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, would really like to move that selection. In addition to this, the team that selects right after Houston, the St. Louis Rams, are also looking to move back down in the first round. 

According to our friend Florio, 

The thinking in some league circles is that the Texans would like to trade down and take linebacker Khalil Mack. The thinking is that the Rams would like to trade back and select tackle Jake Matthews.

The issue here is that both teams need to find trade partners that are willing to give up nice value in return. Houston’s potential strategy to avoid Jadeveon Clowney with the first pick could backfire, depending on where it might move down. The Jacksonville Jaguars at three and Oakland Raiders at five are both highly interested in small-school linebacker Khalil Mack, who is said to be the Texans target in a potential trade-down scenario.

St. Louis potentially moving down from the pick that it originally acquired in the now infamous Robert Griffin III deal two years ago could make more sense. It really doesn’t have much of a need for either pass rusher. Instead, the Rams are said to be targeting offensive tackles, wide receivers and defensive backs. Moving down in the top 10 could afford the Rams the ability to hit on a target player and acquire an extra pick or two. They have been linked to Jake Matthews, Greg Robinson, Taylor Lewan, Mike Evans and Justin Gilbert, among others.

The Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions are all rumored to be potentially discussing a move up. For the Falcons, it would be to select either Clowney or Mack. Tampa Bay and Minnesota are  interested in Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, while the Lions want to team Calvin Johnson up with top prospect Sammy Watkins.

Any number of scenarios could be at play here.

Photo: Jeff Curry, USA Today

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