NFL draft picks are volatile commodities because the value of any given selection is loaded with variables.

In theory, the best scouting department can identify an impactful player. On the other hand, draft picks can be used as compensation to trade for a player or even a coach—or, in the case of the Denver Broncos, both.

Denver's notable deal for Sean Payton followed a 2022 offseason trade for quarterback Russell Wilson. As a result, the Broncos no longer have a first- or second-round pick in 2023.

But they're certainly not alone.

Among a few others, the NFC runner-up San Francisco 49ers and two more playoff teams—the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings—currently have minimal draft capital for 2023.

Baltimore Ravens

Around the 2022 trade deadline, the Baltimore Ravens used a couple of picks to upgrade their defense. They snagged Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears in exchange for second- and fifth-round selections, later signing the linebacker to a record-breaking extension.

Baltimore's other two moves happened in August 2021.

After adding a fifth-rounder from the New England Patriots for rookie cornerback Shaun Wade, the Ravens shipped a seventh-round choice to the New York Giants as part of the Ben Bredeson trade.

The result is Baltimore nears the 2023 draft with the No. 22 overall pick and one slot apiece in the third through sixth rounds.

Given the roster's vast number of needs—and that's even beyond resolving quarterback Lamar Jackson's contract situation—the Ravens are a prime trade-down candidate.

Cleveland Browns

Similar to their AFC North nemesis, the Cleveland Browns packaged draft picks for a player they signed to a record-breaking deal.

Because the Browns traded for a quarterback, however, the price was significantly more expensive. Cleveland sent six selections to the Houston Texans—highlighted by first-round choices in 2022, 2023 and 2024—for Deshaun Watson. This year specifically, the Texans also hold the Browns' original third-round pick.

Subsequently, the team's Day 1 and 2 picks are limited to a second-rounder (No. 42) and a third-round compensatory slot (No. 98) for the Minnesota Vikings hiring Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager.

The Browns have flexibility with an extra selection in the fourth and fifth rounds, but they are thin on marquee picks.

Denver Broncos

Before acquiring the rights to Sean Payton, the Broncos already sat on the fringe of this conversation. They sent 2023 first- and second-rounders to the Seattle Seahawks for Russell Wilson, only recouping a 2023 first-rounder from the Miami Dolphins for Bradley Chubb.

Denver is now firmly entrenched in the discussion.

Interestingly enough, the Broncos hold consecutive picks when they're first on the clock. Last year's draft-day trade with the Indianapolis Colts hardly could've worked out better for Denver, which swapped the No. 96 overall pick for what became the No. 67 slot in 2023. Plus, the Broncos own their original third-rounder at No. 68 overall.

Otherwise, though, Denver has its initial fourth- and fifth-round positions but is 13 spots lower in the sixth round and traded both seventh-rounders it previously held.

In short: Wilson and Payton desperately need to work, or else the Broncos possibly set themselves back a half-decade.

Los Angeles Rams

If your franchise wins a Super Bowl, it's difficult to suggest a marquee trade isn't worthwhile. After acquiring longtime Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021, the Rams immediately won a championship. That is, after all, the literal objective of the sport.

Nevertheless, they're still paying for the trade. Stafford cost Los Angeles a first-round selection in both the 2022 and 2023 draft, along with a third-rounder in 2021.

But that, of course, is not all.

General manager Les Snead—who brandishes a lovely "forget them picks" mentality—also packaged a fourth-rounder to the Patriots for running back Sony Michel and fifth-rounder to Cleveland for cornerback Troy Hill. Snead has bounced the Rams all over the sixth and seventh rounds, too.

In short: Los Angeles is slated for Day 2 slots at 36 and 69 before a projected fourth-round compensatory pick and potentially seven more selections in the later stages of the draft.

Miami Dolphins

Well, the Dolphins could have avoided the list. Instead, they decided to tamper with Sean Payton and Tom Brady last offseason and cost themselves a 2023 first-rounder.

Two years ago, the Fins had acquired a trio of first-rounders from the 49ers in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick. Miami ultimately used the 2023 selection to bring in Bradley Chubb from Denver at the 2022 trade deadline and agreed to an extension with the edge-rusher.

And that's merely the beginning.

Miami also parted with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-rounders in trades for wideout Tyreek Hill and running back Jeff Wilson. The only inbound picks are a third-rounder from the Pats for receiver Devante Parker and a sixth-rounder from the Bears for returner Jakeem Grant.

Considering the nearly 100-spot gap between their last third-round pick and their sixth-round position, the Dolphins have a strong likelihood of trading down on Day 2.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota practically has an identical outlook to Baltimore.

Just as the Ravens did, the Vikings sent a second-rounder as the main compensation for a deadline pickup. They moved a second-rounder to NFC North rival Detroit for tight end T.J. Hockenson, also landing a 2023 fourth-rounder in addition to future pick movement.

One positive is Minnesota has a projected fifth-round compensatory slot. However, it basically just mitigates the impact of not having anything in the sixth or seventh rounds due to previous trades.

For now, the Vikings are listed at 23rd and 87th overall with a trio of Day 3 selections. But after a 2022 draft stacked with six trades, expect Minnesota to bounce all over the board in April.

San Francisco 49ers

Easily one of the most prominent what-if questions from 2022 will be San Francisco's quarterback situation.

What if Trey Lance doesn't have a season-ending ankle injury? What if Jimmy Garoppolo avoids his midseason foot injury? What if breakout rookie Brock Purdy stays healthy in the NFC Championship Game?

Sure, the Eagles might've won anyway. But the Niners are stuck wishing that a promising year could've ended differently while entering an offseason with no picks until the end of Day 2.

As mentioned earlier, San Francisco moved its first-rounder to Miami ultimately for Lance. Picking up running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers cost the Niners their 2023 selections in the second, third and fourth rounds. As it stands, their only choices before the fifth round are a trio of third-round compensatory picks.

San Francisco is banking heavily on its scouts to land Day 3 gems, as the department did in 2022 with Purdy and 2021 with Deommodore Lenoir, Talanoa Hufanga and Elijah Mitchell.

Note: NFL draft order is from Tankathon and removes the Dolphins' forfeited pick from the numbering.