What the hell is
going on with the NFL Draft? We are over a week away and we already seeing
fireworks. The Rams trading more than a handful of picks to Tennessee to the
Number 1 overall pick, and today the Eagles trading with the Browns to get the
number 2 overall pick. It is interesting to wonder if this is actually going to
work out. Such actions like this are so hard to predict. We all know where the
Eagles and Rams are going with these transactions. They would both like to take
quaterbacks. Here is my question: Are any of these top prospects really worth
it?
Let’s look back a
bit. In the past 12 years, we have seen a couple trades happen in these
scenarios. Go back to 2012 draft and Washington had traded an arm and leg to
get St. Louis’(now LA) draft to select Robert Griffin, III (which is ironic in
all these, I’ll explain soon). How did that turn out for them? As well all
know, during RG3’s rookie year, Washington won the division and he won
Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now Kirk Cousins is the franchise quartback and
RG3 is on the Browns, who traded down for the Eagles to get the number 2 pick.
RG3 appears to be getting a second shot. You may be asking the question, was it
worth for Washington to trade away all those picks? At the time, it appeared it
was well worth it. It still appears it was worth it, to a lesser extent, due to
the fact that they still found a franchise quarterback in Kirk Cousins.
Now let’s go back
even longer. We have the 2004 draft. The Chargers have the number 1 pick and
the Giants the number 4 pick. Eli Manning refused to go to the Chargers. What
happened? Draft and trade! It worked out well for both teams, but slightly
better for the Giants (look at 2 SB banners). They both have their franchise
quaterbacks. The Chargers had impact players for years to come and the Giants
have won 2 unreal Super Bowls with Eli Manning.
It appears, at
least from the outside, that the Browns and Titans definitely won these trades
for the long term. Both teams are in the middle of rebuilding (over and over in
the case of the Browns). The Titans already have their franchise quarterback in
Mariota and traded for RB DeMarco Murray for almost nothing. Cleveland’s
defense is not so shabby, it is their offense, especially their instability at
quarterback is the issue. If RG3 pans out for the Browns, the Browns should
build around him.
If the Eagles and
Rams take quaterbacks, as expected, it is for the long term yes, but also for
the short term. Both teams feel they are capable to compete, but feel they are
a chicken running around without a head. I feel that the Rams are more ready to
compete than the Eagles. They have Todd Gurley already establishing himself as
a running back. Their defense is also on the rise.
In sports, trades of
these types are so unpredictable. A great example is the Tigers-Braves trade
that included John Smoltz. The Tigers gave up a hall famer for half a season of
Doyle Alexander. Granted at the time of the trade, Smoltz was nothing special,
it’s about how they are developed. Will there be any more craziness leading up
to draft day? Who knows? It is starting to get exciting. It’s fun to watch
desperate teams (especially the Eagles) panic and give up a lot to get an
unknown. Let’s stay tuned!
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