Draft prospects Ryan Pace may trade up for

If there's one thing I jope Ryan Pace does NOT do it's trade-up (or trade-forward picks from next year).  

We aren't a team devoid of talent or desperate for playmakers anymore.  We have a solid core of players that, assuming reasonable health and Trub's continued growth in the O, should be a contender for a deep run.  Pace just needs to let the draft come to him and make solid choices, not to sacrifice the limited number of picks we already have.  Don't swing for the fences, Ryan, just put the ball in play so to speak.

Our 1st pick is late 3rd round.  Very very unlikely there’s gonna be some “can’t pass up, gotta get him” talent hovering in range to trade up for.  

Even carrying forward a 2nd from next year would get us no higher than ~ the middle of the 2nd round and it would cost probably an additional 4th to do that.

Lets be realistic here.  I understand there are times when you gotta pay-to-play so to speak but this year isn’t one of them.  Pace in effect has already moved up big time by spending this years 1st and 2nd round picks on Mack and Miller respectively.  

That's my argument as well.  

This year we have a roster that's not in need of much in the way of "immediate contributors".  About the only places that could happen is at RB and/or K, both of which generally don't require picks higher than we already have.  No one else we draft this year is going to "start" or be at the top of the depth chart.  I would argue further that its unlikely Pace will be able to draft anyone that would even be a "1st off the bench" type of backup or rotational player.  Maybe a backup CB/NB could happen that way I guess but that's about it.  So, I really hope Pace pretty much stays put and takes what the draft offers him rather than mortgaging additional picks to move up significantly.  Just add some depth & development players for down the road and be content with that (an OL, an OLB, a DB, etc).

Next year (and I'm going to assume Howard's value becomes a 5th), we will lack a 1st and a 3rd but will have 2 2nds, 2 4ths, 3 5ths, and a 6th & a 7th.  Its possible we may score another late round comp pick depending on the details of what Cunningham signed for with Jags.  That will be a draft where we hopefully can land some more immediate impact help such as a HHCD or Trevathan or Shaheen replacement if needed.  Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed with Shaheen so far who hasn't done much to justify spending a 2nd on him so he needs to show up and produce this season.

Like I said...I agree with you, I was just merely providing the caveat.