The 10 most significant trades for draft picks in NFL history

Jim Reineking | USA TODAY

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More than a month before the 2018 NFL draft, the New York Jets moved up three spots in the first round in a blockbuster trade with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Jets most made the move with one of the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class in their sights, taking Sam Darnold with the No. 3 pick. While many teams have moved up to take a top passer (or otherwise highly rated player), the results haven't always proved fruitful. Here's our look at the biggest trades for draft picks in NFL history (discounting swaps after players were drafted, like the Eli Manning-Philip Rivers deal).

10. 1998 - Chargers for Leaf

Chargers receive: 1998 first rounder (No. 2: QB Ryan Leaf)

Cardinals receive: 1998 first rounder (No. 3: DE Andre Wadsworth), 1998 second rounder (No. 33: DB Corey Chavous), 1999 first rounder (No. 8: WR David Boston), WR Eric Metcalf, LB Patrick Sapp

Moving into the No. 2 slot meant that San Diego at least would be able to get one of the two coveted quarterbacks in that year's draft class. While the Colts took Peyton Manning at No. 1, the Chargers got Leaf, who became one of the NFL's all-time biggest draft busts. That season, the Cardinals turned this bounty into the franchise's first playoff appearance in 16 years and first playoff win in 51 years.

9. 1990 - Colts for George

Colts receive: 1990 first rounder (No. 1: QB Jeff George), 1990 fourth rounder (No. 83: WR Stacey Simmons)

Falcons receive: 1990 fifth round pick (No. 121: Reggie Redding), 1991 first-rounder (No. 13: WR Mike Pritchard), OT Chris Hinton, WR Andre Rison

Eight years before using the top draft pick to take Manning, the Colts traded into the top spot to get George. In addition to possessing a righteous mustache and mullet, George also had a strong arm. He played 12 seasons in the NFL, but just four for the Colts, chucking 46 picks to 41 touchdowns. The Falcons got a Pro Bowl lineman (Hinton), one of the game's most dangerous playmakers (Rison) and Pritchard was a productive receiver for nine seasons.

8. 2012 - Redskins for RG3

Redskins receive: 2012 first-rounder (No. 2: QB Robert Griffin III)

Rams receive: 2012 first-rounder (No. 6: Traded to Cowboys), 2012 second-round selection (No. 39: CB Janoris Jenkins), 2013 first-rounder (No. 22: Traded to Falcons), 2014 first-rounder (No. 2: OT Greg Robinson)

Through additional draft trades, the Rams also acquired LB Alec Ogletree, DT Michael Brockers, WR Stedman Bailey, RB Zac Stacy and RB Isaiah Pead. In 2014, with RGIII's once-promising NFL career already in decline, Rams coach Jeff Fisher trolled the Redskins when he sent players acquired in this draft trade out for the ceremonial coin toss. RG3 lasted just three seasons with the Redskins. Meanwhile, Brockers is the only player who remains on the Rams.

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7. 1983 - Rams for Dickerson

Rams receive: 1983 first-rounder (No. 2: RB Eric Dickerson)

Oilers receive: 1983 first-rounder (No. 3: Traded to Seahawks), 1983 second-rounder (No. 88: TE Mike McCloskey), 1984 fourth-rounder (No. 102: Traded to Redskins)

In the QB-heavy '83 draft in which John Elway went No. 1, Dickerson was the second player chosen. He made an immediate impact for the Rams, leading the league in rushing yards in his first two seasons while setting an NFL record of 2,105 yards in 1984. A trade with the Seahawks put the Oilers into the No. 9 spot, where they selected offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. Matthews and Dickerson are both enshrined in the Hall of Fame, making this a win-win trade for both teams.

6. 1964 - Bears for Butkus

Bears receive: 1965 first-rounder (No. 3: LB Dick Butkus)

Steelers receive: 1964 second-rounder (No. 28: TE Jim Kelly), 1964 fourth-rounder (No. 51: DE Ben McGee)

Talk about foresight: The Bears actually acquired the pick used to get Butkus during the previous year's draft, and it just so happened that Butkus, a Chicago native, was there for the taking. Chicago also owned the No. 4 pick in the 1965 draft and took running back Gale Sayers for one of the greatest team draft classes in league history.

5. 1978 - Oilers for Campbell

Oilers receive: 1978 first-rounder (No. 1: RB Earl Campbell)

Buccaneers receive: 1978 first-rounder (No. 17: QB Doug Williams), 1978 second-rounder (No. 44: OG Brett Moritz), 1979 third-rounder (No. 78: DE Reggie Lewis), 1979 fifth-rounder (No. 133: QB Chuck Fusina)

Trading up for the 1977 Heisman winner helped push the Oilers from perennial also-ran into contender, reaching consecutive AFC Championship Games. For the "Luv ya Blue" Oilers, Campbell produced one of the greatest sizzle reels in NFL history while leading the league in rushing his first three seasons. With Williams under center, the Buccaneers — just two years removed from 0-26 ignominy — reached the NFC Championship Game.

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4. 1977 - Cowboys for Dorsett

Cowboys receive: 1977 first-rounder (No. 2: RB Tony Dorsett)

Seahawks receive: 1977 first-rounder (No. 14: OT Steve August), 1977 second-rounder (No. 30: OG Tom Lynch), 1977 second-rounder (No. 41: LB Terry Beeson), 1977 second-rounder (No. 54: Traded to Cowboys)

Believing that Dorsett was the missing piece to attaining a Lombardi Trophy, the Cowboys pulled off a blockbuster move to draft the player who would help the team become champions in his rookie season. When Dorsett retired, he was second on the NFL's all-time rushing yardage list behind Walter Payton. The Seahawks were entering their second year of existence and needed to continue to fill out the roster with capable players, and posted their first winning record a season later.

3. 1985 - 49ers for Rice

49ers receive: 1985 first-rounder (No. 16: WR Jerry Rice), 1985 third-rounder (No. 75: RB Ricky Moore)

Patriots receive: 1985 first-rounder (No. 28: C Trevor Matich), 1985 second-rounder (No. 56: DE Ben Thomas), 1985 third-rounder (No. 84: DB Audrey McMillian)

Talk about the rich getting richer. The defending Super Bowl champion 49ers — coming off one of the most dominant seasons in league history — made a bold move for a small-school receiver who would go on to be the greatest ever at his position. The Patriots didn't get much out of the selections they received from the 49ers, which might explain why New England went from appearing in the Super Bowl during the 1985 season to 1-15 five years later.

2. 2001 - Falcons for Vick

Falcons receive: 2001 first-rounder (No. 1: QB Michael Vick)

Chargers receive : 2001 first-rounder (No. 5: RB LaDainian Tomlinson), 2001 third-rounder (No. 67: CB Tay Cody), 2002 second-rounder (No. 48: WR Reche Caldwell), WR Tim Dwight

Having absolutely whiffed on the Leaf selection three years prior, the Chargers were once again in dire need of a quarterback. So were the Falcons, who were willing to deliver a bounty of picks and players to the Chargers to move up four spots for Vick, who was one of the league's most exciting players until a suspension for his role in a dog fighting operation derailed his career. The Chargers, meanwhile, had a draft that would transform the franchise into a contender during the first decade of the 2000s. After taking Tomlinson, the Chargers used the first pick of the second round to draft Drew Brees, who one day will join Tomlinson in the Hall of Fame.

1. 1999 - Saints for Williams

Saints receive: 1999 first-rounder (No. 5: RB Ricky Williams)

Redskins receive: 1999 first-rounder (No. 12: Traded to Bears), 1999 third-rounder (No. 71: Traded to Bears), 1999 fourth-rounder (No. 107: LB Nate Stimson), 1999 fifth-rounder (No. 144: Traded to Bears), 1999 sixth-rounder (No. 179: Traded to Broncos), 1999 seventh-rounder (No. 218: Traded to Broncos), 2000 first-rounder (No. 2: LB LaVar Arrington), 2000 third-rounder (No. 64: CB Lloyd Harrison)

How the Redskins didn't turn this bounty of picks into an early-2000s dynasty is one of pro football's great mysteries. Washington did utilize that No. 12 pick in a trade with the Bears to move into the No. 7 spot to take Champ Bailey, who should be enshrined into the Hall of Fame in the very near future. Williams didn't live up to expectations in New Orleans, but the Saints did manage to get two first-rounders from the Dolphins in a trade in 2002. This trade is also one of the big "what ifs?" in Bengals history. Cincinnati balked at the opportunity to take all of Mike Ditka's picks, and instead drafted quarterback Akili Smith in one of the greatest draft boondoggles of all time.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.