The 2012 NFL Draft is widely known not only for the superstars it produced but also the massive trade that the Washington Redskins engineered in order to select Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick.
With about five weeks to go until the 2015 NFL Draft begins, the Redskins could soon be on the other end of a big trade for a dual-threat quarterback, as teams might increasingly be eyeing Washington's No. 5 overall pick. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota could be there for the taking at that point, one spot before the Jets, who might have a hard time passing on Mariota, are slated to pick.
"Do not be surprised if the Redskins are open for business -- more than open -- to dealing that pick," NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport said from the NFL Annual Meeting in Arizona on Monday. "There is speculation that the Jets (at No. 6) could go for Marcus Mariota if he does fall to them. Possibly there's a team that is looking to jump over the Jets and draft Mariota. The Redskins, who we know gave up all those picks to draft RG3, could wind up reaping some of those rewards of trading down at No. 5."
The prospect of picking up more picks in this year's draft and future drafts has to sound appealing to new general manager Scot McCloughan as he works to make Washington a contender in the NFC East. The team has plenty of needs and adding additional first- or second-rounders to move back a few spots might be enticing for the club.
NFL Media analyst and former Redskins general manager Charley Casserly envisions such a scenario playing out in his latest mock draft, although he has the Jets, not the Redskins, trading back. Casserly has the Cleveland Browns moving up to the No. 6 overall pick to grab Mariota, but it's early to envision a scenario in which a team feels compelled to leap past the Jets to ensure itself a chance to land Mariota.
Don't be surprised if other teams drafting early in the first round make it known that they're also open to trading down. Lovie Smith seemed to hint in an interview with NFL Network that the Bucs, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, could consider trading down, and other teams might follow suit to see what possibilities might be available.
There's plenty of time remaining before the draft, so count on teams continue to explore all their options in the coming weeks. If the Tennessee Titans don't use the No. 2 overall pick on Mariota, it might not be long before some fascinating wheeling and dealing to land Mariota begins to unfold.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
