Thread: The NFL draft is lopsided

Mayock: NFL Draft Is Lopsided

Posted by Aaron Wilson on April 16, 2009, 9:05 a.m.
Is this year’s NFL Draft akin to a Bizarro world where everything is backwards?
That might be stretching the point a bit, but there’s still a growing consensus in NFL circles that the quality of players available in the top 10 picks is extremely similar to the talent level of the players projected to be drafted in the teens and early 20s of the first round.
According to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, per Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, teams are looking to bail out of the top 10 and trade down.
“Every team in the top 10 is looking to trade out,” Mayock told reporters today in a conference call. “I’ve never seen a situation quite like this. And the theory is, everybody knows we’re upside down with this draft. The rookies are getting paid way too much money proportionate to their value. So, teams are scared to death to miss in the top 10.”
According to Mayock, part of the trend goes back to simple economics. (Random thought: Where’s the teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to explain it all to us?)
“Here’s what’s happening, which I think is really interesting to see if this trend plays out: That old trade chart that all the teams used to use, it began to go out the window last year and I think, like the economy, it’s completely out the window,” Mayock said. “So, I think any team in the top 10 that’s looking to get out will listen to any reasonable offer. And more than ever teams are looking to get down to 15 to 25 because you can get the same kind of player at 20 than you can at seven, and you pay one-third the money.”

That's encouraging if we are trading up for Raji.

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

That's encouraging if we are trading up for Raji.

Except we are screwed if he is a bust, from a money perspective anyway.

The NFL really needs to look at a Rookie salary scale so having a high draft pick isn't a negative. If Detroit spends $40 million of guaranteed money on Stafford and he is a bust they will be hurt for at least 3 years.

I think the rooks should get paid the the vet minumum. With maybe a 5-10 mil bonus for those first rdrs, and less for the 2nd,3rds, 4ths etc.

It will make the rooks work that much harder, teams will not have to throw away money for unproven untested players, and the veteran guys wont be pissed that someone who tore up college athletes but not pros will be making more money then themselves who did and do succeed.

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

That's encouraging if we are trading up for Raji.

Not really.

Losing more picks to go after a guy that we can most likely get in Brace isnt really worth it to me. At this point the more picks we have the better.

Originally Posted by BigDaddyBronco

Except we are screwed if he is a bust, from a money perspective anyway.

The NFL really needs to look at a Rookie salary scale so having a high draft pick isn't a negative. If Detroit spends $40 million of guaranteed money on Stafford and he is a bust they will be hurt for at least 3 years.

The number 8 pick isn't that bad. Harvey from last years is only making about 6mil per year. If we can handle that for Graham we can handle that for Raji. No need to over react.

Originally Posted by Northman

Not really.

Losing more picks to go after a guy that we can most likely get in Brace isnt really worth it to me. At this point the more picks we have the better.

There's a huge difference between Brace and Raji. Raji has a ton more value for a 3-4 hybrid defense and would give the team a lot of flexibility. And having teams desprate to move down would mean that we wouldn't have to give up anywhere near as much.

I also should have pointed out that I'm not really in favor of moving up, I just think that it's good to hear that it would be cheaper to do so, in light of Peter Kings report that the front office is looking to move up.

So the middle/late round picks have great value. That puts us in a position to trade down and acquire more picks.

Originally Posted by slim

So the middle/late round picks have great value. That puts us in a position to trade down and acquire more picks.

True, the only problem is a lot of teams are looking to do that.