Draft Hypothetical

[Phinja]

As we all know by now, the Phins are negotiating with Jake Long to be the #1 overall pick. Most are happy with Jake Long as the pick, and would be ecstatic if he signed for less than Russell did last year.


But let me pose this to you: What if a prospect that you don’t necessarily care for, enamored with being the #1 overall pick, and understanding of the $$$ lost with a fall in the draft, offered to sign cheaper than everyone else?


I.e.: Matt Ryan, with the understanding that being picked by the Ravens at #8 is a strong possibility, forces his agent to call BP and tell him he will sign at a significant discount over anyone else, knowing that it will still be more than what he'll get otherwise.

How would you handle the situation? Would you be comfortable with picking a player that you didn’t particularly want, for the discount?




NOTE: The above situation is completely hypothetical, and is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to any real persons or situations is purely coincidental. Author of this post understands that this is not possible and is not trying to lobby any draft prospects other than Jake Long.



I am Phinja, and i approved this message.

 

[VT Dolphan]

I would sooner trade the pick for a large discount to any team interested than settle for a player the team isn't crazy about. Even if a guy like Ryan is willing to accept a "cheap" offer, which is even less likely considering he's a QB, it is still going to be a ton of money overall. I think the important thing is to avoid a messy contract dispute and subsequent holdout. Take the player you like best and pay him whatever it takes to get him in camp on time.

 

[dabeastdabone]

If Ryan is on BP's radar than yeah (in your example). I Imagine the Dolphins would consider something like that for any of the top 5-6 prospects.

I like your point though. If I were Ryan I would be on the phone as we speak, at 8 would be a large loss of money and prestige. I do wonder if the agents themselves avoid that scenario to the extent of being dishonest or unethical to that player. Think about it, Ryan says "I'll sign with the Fins for 58 mil, 6 years and 25 gar." What damage does that do to the agent down the line if you start clipping money off all his players. Just something to ponder...

 

[Lazy1]

It really doesnt matter what I want or the fans want. I dont care if we pick some1 that no1 on this forum wants if our staff thinks its the right guy what else could you do but root for the guy.

That being said like VT said if it came down to our front office picking a guy that they dont want b/c contractual issues give a huge discount basically giving the pick away and trade down. Whatever "discount" a player takes hes still going to sign about 30 mil guaranteed which is a huge contract regardless so you might as well get the player you want.

 

[3rdandinches]

I really couldn't care less about the money aspect of the pick, it comes with the #1 pick. Let's make the best pick for the franchise, pay the man and then hopefully never pick #1 again!!!!!!

 

[dabeastdabone]

It really doesnt matter what I want or the fans want. I dont care if we pick some1 that no1 on this forum wants if our staff thinks its the right guy what else could you do but root for the guy.

That being said like VT said if it came down to our front office picking a guy that they dont want b/c contractual issues give a huge discount basically giving the pick away and trade down. Whatever "discount" a player takes hes still going to sign about 30 mil guaranteed which is a huge contract regardless so you might as well get the player you want.

I refuse to believe the Dolphins are anywhere near working themselves into a corner. I think it is much more likely all this is what they want or suspected happening. MAYBE there was something to J. Long not wanting to play in Miami and the Dolphins knew that, what better guy to start all this off with then? We offer him a contract a little lower than we suspect he will take. Nobody wants to admit it but any type of tactical maneuvering by the Dolphins means they don't want or don't intend on drafting J. Long. Maybe they are being straight forward and simply going after "their guy" but doesn't that seam like poor strategy?

Sorry, I know nobody believes this but again this is more a reason to look to Ryan. He could be looking at 3 earliest. I would suspect he would be the most likely to jump up and take a reduced contract as mentioned as the hypothetical scenario. Also, being he and J. Long have the same agent you could imagine his agent would prefer moving his guys into 1 (Ryan) and 2 (J. Long) than 2 (J. Long) and 3rd or later (Ryan)

 

[Phinja]

Good responses so far. BTW, I only used Ryan as an example; could be anyone. Dorsey, McFadden. etc...



Idont know if BP would go for it personally. I see him as the type of guy that will take HIS pick, regardless of the cost. If he can work the price down though, it's icing on the cake...

 

[daywalker]

Ryan is way overrated. Wouldn't even entertain the idea of using a pick on him till later in the draft.