Since the year 2000, the third pick in the first round of the NFL draft has been traded a total of three times. Ironic, eh? They occurred in 2000, 2012 and 2013. Here is a breakdown of each of those deals, what was exchanged and how the teams ultimately came out from them.
2000 – Redskins trade #12 and #24 picks to 49ers for #3 pick
- Washington selects OT Chris Samuels (6x Pro Bowler)
- San Francisco turns picks into LB Julian Peterson (2x Pro Bowler), CB Ahmed Plummer, and CB Jason Webster
2012 – Browns trade #4 pick, 4th, 5th and 7th rounders to Vikings for #3 pick
- Cleveland selects RB Trent Richardson
- Minnesota turns picks in OT Matt Kalil (1x Pro Bowler), WR Jarius Wright, S Robert Blanton, CB A.J. Jefferson, and LB Michael Mauti
2013 – Dolphins trades #12 pick and 2nd round pick to Raiders for #3 pick
- Miami selects DE Dion Jordan
- Oakland turns picks into CB D.J. Hayden and OT Menelik Watson
As with most trades this represents a mixed bag of results for all teams involved. In 2000 it looked like both the Redskins and 49ers both came out with something of quality from the deal. In 2012 the Vikings clearly fleeced the Browns by moving down. As for 2013, neither team got what they’d hoped for. So essentially Pace will be taking a significant risk either way by staying put or moving down.
It’s worth noting the last time the Bears moved down from a top five pick was 2003. That was the draft that produced Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman. Jerry Angelo failed in his attempt. Time will tell if the same happens to Pace, or if the Bears can even move down at all. The situation remains extremely fluid and won’t start to crystallize until the draft is about to begin next month.
