Draft picks overvalued? or still important as ever

[usmccharles]

I don't feel bad for him at all if it's true he was drunk when it all happened. Considering he did have a DUI in his past, I wouldn't be surprised

yea but how Many of us has been drunk. Something crazy can happen to Anyone. Even having a dui isn't the end of the world, he just had some bad luck

[Moderator 3]

I don't feel bad for him at all if it's true he was drunk when it all happened.  Considering he did have a DUI in his past, I wouldn't be surprised

There have been a number of articles that say he was NOT drunk. Apparently he was tested for alcohol at the hospital. He had some kind of sleeping disorder.

[Purple_City39]

yea but how Many of us has been drunk. Something crazy can happen to Anyone. Even having a dui isn't the end of the world, he just had some bad luck

I get that.  But honestly, to get paid millions for something you enjoy doing to me means you get on your best behavior until it's over.  Leave the alcohol, weed, and partying (in Manziel's case) alone for 10 years or so.  Maybe I'm bias though because I have a family member that ruined a golden opportunity because of similar stupidity and I now see where he is in life versus where he could have been and it's a shame

 

There have been a number of articles that say he was NOT drunk. Apparently he was tested for alcohol at the hospital. He had some kind of sleeping disorder.

If that's the case then I withdraw my comment.  In that situation I would/will feel sorry for him as that would be beyond his control.  I just hate seeing the Josh Gordon's and Justin Blackman's of the world ruin an opportunity that most would love to have in some capacity all because they couldn't help themselves

[K-Dog]

You are in a strange house. You get up to go to the bathroom. You open a door you think is a bathroom door but it's actually the door to the basement stairs.

You are half asleep, in a strange house. What do you know. You take one single step through this door and life as you know it will never be the same.

I feel sorry for the guy.

[JO_75]

I think after tonight, the answer to this question is simple. Are Draft Picks still Overvalued? No. Are they important as ever? Yes. The Panthers & Broncos Super Bowl runs were fueled by a losing season in 2010 that gave them the top 2 picks in the 2011 Draft. That allowed them to select Cam Newton & Von Miller, Cam League MVP and Miller Super Bowl MVP. The Seahawks built their Super Bowl teams through the draft(Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, Golden Tate, Russell Okung, Kam Chancellor, etc).  Our 2012 Super Bowl run was fueled by our first two picks in the 2008 Draft, Joe Flacco & Ray Rice. 

Funny thing is, those teams above all had losing seasons that allowed them to be in position to take the players they took. Our 5-11 year in 2007 led us to getting Flacco & Rice, without the Panthers/Broncos being terrible in 2010 they don't select Cam or Von Miller. 

For us... missing the playoffs in 2013 gave us CJ Mosley, Timmy Jernigan, Gillmore, Brent Urban(who blocked the FG in Cleveland). So what will our 5-11 year in 2015 get us in 2016 that very well could fuel another Super Bowl run and a third Lombardi Trophy for us?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Time to revisit this question. If this 1st day of FA is any indicator.... draft picks are more valuable than ever. The draft is going to be the only way to fill out a roster with starter quality players unless you're Jax.

But this is true every year. Bal, NE, GB know this and always compete. Others that dont, buy, rinse, repeat, recycle... whatever. Lose.

[usmccharles]

54 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Time to revisit this question. If this 1st day of FA is any indicator.... draft picks are more valuable than ever. The draft is going to be the only way to fill out a roster with starter quality players unless you're Jax.

But this is true every year. Bal, NE, GB know this and always compete. Others that dont, buy, rinse, repeat, recycle... whatever. Lose.

agreed completely.  getting those 4 years at rookie salary with the 5 year options will be very important.  Raiders are going to pay out the wrong end when Mack and Carr are up. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

4 hours ago, usmccharles said:

agreed completely.  getting those 4 years at rookie salary with the 5 year options will be very important.  Raiders are going to pay out the wrong end when Mack and Carr are up. 

Yea, pay $12mill/year for Janoris Jenkins... $7mill/yr for a Sanu... or get 4-5 years of players with similar if not much better production for under $1mill/year??

The teams that can hit their draft picks, like always, are going to be the ones that consistently compete... plain and simple. It's always been that way, its just more glaring now with how much money players are getting now and how high the stakes have become with these contracts.

Plus the perfect storm from the CBA with most teams getting a cap increase of around $10mill, but a couple teams caps increasing $30mill... and most just cant afford to bring in quality FA's.

[rmw10]

29 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Yea, pay $12mill/year for Janoris Jenkins... $7mill/yr for a Sanu... or get 4-5 years of players with similar if not much better production for under $1mill/year??

The teams that can hit their draft picks, like always, are going to be the ones that consistently compete... plain and simple. It's always been that way, its just more glaring now with how much money players are getting now and how high the stakes have become with these contracts.

Plus the perfect storm from the CBA with most teams getting a cap increase of around $10mill, but a couple teams caps increasing $30mill... and most just cant afford to bring in quality FA's.

I do think you have to supplement the draft with quality FA's every couple of years, though.  They don't have to be the top at their position, but an above average guy can go a long way.

[GrimCoconut]

2 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

I do think you have to supplement the draft with quality FA's every couple of years, though.  They don't have to be the top at their position, but an above average guy can go a long way.

Corey Graham, Cory Redding, Vonta Leach etc.

Edited March 10, 2016 by GrimCoconut

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

1 hour ago, rmw10 said:

I do think you have to supplement the draft with quality FA's every couple of years, though.  They don't have to be the top at their position, but an above average guy can go a long way.

Oh of course... but its that, a supplement. I dont think anyone will be able to build a winner by getting their building blocks in FA and supplementing with rookies.

Youve got to build in the draft... get your franchise cornerstones and add value pieces, or the occasional splash player that puts you over the top. But as always, you have to get contributions from you draft picks bc the price of FA's just wont allow you to fill out a balanced roster with just free agents. There just arent enough of the those quality, bargain type FA's around to do it.

But i do agree with your point. If not for the Corey Graham's, Jacoby Jones, Vonta Leach, Daryl Smith, Steve Smith, Elvis Dumervil, Owen Daniels, type signings over the past 8 years, we dont compete nearly as well as we have.

[rmw10]

2 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Oh of course... but its that, a supplement. I dont think anyone will be able to build a winner by getting their building blocks in FA and supplementing with rookies.

Youve got to build in the draft... get your franchise cornerstones and add value pieces, or the occasional splash player that puts you over the top. But as always, you have to get contributions from you draft picks bc the price of FA's just wont allow you to fill out a balanced roster with just free agents. There just arent enough of the those quality, bargain type FA's around to do it.

But i do agree with your point. If not for the Corey Graham's, Jacoby Jones, Vonta Leach, Daryl Smith, Steve Smith, Elvis Dumervil, Owen Daniels, type signings over the past 8 years, we dont compete nearly as well as we have.

I'd even take it a step further in regards to the FAs in the Rod Woodson, Shannon Sharpe, Derrick Mason, Samari Rolle types. I think those guys were a step above and real difference makers. Unfortunately Mason and Rolle got caught in the Boller years. Regardless, I think you need a guy of that caliber every once in awhile. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

14 hours ago, rmw10 said:

I'd even take it a step further in regards to the FAs in the Rod Woodson, Shannon Sharpe, Derrick Mason, Samari Rolle types. I think those guys were a step above and real difference makers. Unfortunately Mason and Rolle got caught in the Boller years. Regardless, I think you need a guy of that caliber every once in awhile. 

Yep... Woodson, Sharpe, Boldin. I think you make the splash when youve got the built, well balanced roster that competes and just needs that x factor, playmaker to put you over the top.

But splashing when you dont have that base or competitive roster, imo just sets you back from being able to build that. I dont think high priced FA's should be your foundational pieces.

[Winchester]

Draft picks are very valuable. I'm all for a young roster at all times. Unless contending for a Superbowl I'm all for trading Dumervils and suggs'  to a contender for draft picks and use those picks on a young cheap players. If somebody knows how to scout QBs I would even consider trading the QB before he is on deck for a big contract. If there is a backup on the team that is really good. And use that money on true impact players. And the draft picks for impact players.This year anybody on ravens 30 or over would be traded.

[ludy51]

With all the money being handed out in FA, draft picks are more important now than ever.

[usmccharles]

9 hours ago, ludy51 said:

With all the money being handed out in FA, draft picks are more important now than ever.

Exactly.