Maggot Brain
Trade Bait
Yes, this is a hypothetical scenario based on what-ifs, so, if that's not your bag, please stop reading here.
If the draft plays out in such a way that no player targeted for pick #25 by the Dolphin front office is available when Miami's on the clock, the ideal situation has either Super Bowl team coveting someone at that spot and willing to move up to get them. Per the infamous trade value chart the cost for either team to swap first round picks with Miami would be their third rounder with the math working out perfectly in an Arizona trade and slightly undervalued (-14) from the Dolphin's perspective in a Pittsburgh trade (MIA#25=720 vs. ARI#31+#95[600+120]=720 or PIT#32+#96[590+116]=706). On top of aquiring an additional third and saving what could amount to millions of dollars over the life of the contract of the first round draft pick, the true beauty of Plan B would be the improvement in Miami's draft position relative to that of bitter AFC East rival New England. Now it's no secret the two organizations share similar philosophies with regards to the type of draft eligible players they go after (smart, tough, committed, versatile, etc.) as well as the "system" those players will need to fit into on and off the field. As far as the first round goes in this scenario, New England would obviously still have their pick of the litter. However, it could influence their decision making regarding a "system" fitting, 1st/2nd round cusp player, such as U of Cincinnatti's DE/OLB/TE Connor Barwin for example. Unless another team swoops in and selects him, it's probably safe to assume Barwin would be there at pick #34 (from KC in Cassel trade) with Miami picking at #25 as he's not really a value pick at that spot. However, if the Phins truly want him, he's a lot more attractive (and less expensive) at pick #31 or #32. The Patriots would have to take that into account; so much so that if they coveted him enough, it may force their hand into taking him at #23. Even if the Trifecta slots Barwin's value at pick #44 and New England was able to land him at #34, the trade down in this scenario was still likely effective at getting inside they collective Patriot mind, taking them out of their game to some degree and making them sweat. The sweaty mind games wouldn't end there. After the dance at the end of the opening round it would continue through round three with Miami having the following pick number upperhands: R2-MIA#44 to NEP#47 & MIA#56 to NEP#58, R3-MIA#87 to NEP#89 & MIA#95/#96 to NEP#97(compensatory). Can you imagine how worked Belichick and Co. would feel after three rounds of this? It's high time Parcells re-establishes/reinforces the nature of the Master/pupil relationship.
If the draft plays out in such a way that no player targeted for pick #25 by the Dolphin front office is available when Miami's on the clock, the ideal situation has either Super Bowl team coveting someone at that spot and willing to move up to get them. Per the infamous trade value chart the cost for either team to swap first round picks with Miami would be their third rounder with the math working out perfectly in an Arizona trade and slightly undervalued (-14) from the Dolphin's perspective in a Pittsburgh trade (MIA#25=720 vs. ARI#31+#95[600+120]=720 or PIT#32+#96[590+116]=706). On top of aquiring an additional third and saving what could amount to millions of dollars over the life of the contract of the first round draft pick, the true beauty of Plan B would be the improvement in Miami's draft position relative to that of bitter AFC East rival New England. Now it's no secret the two organizations share similar philosophies with regards to the type of draft eligible players they go after (smart, tough, committed, versatile, etc.) as well as the "system" those players will need to fit into on and off the field. As far as the first round goes in this scenario, New England would obviously still have their pick of the litter. However, it could influence their decision making regarding a "system" fitting, 1st/2nd round cusp player, such as U of Cincinnatti's DE/OLB/TE Connor Barwin for example. Unless another team swoops in and selects him, it's probably safe to assume Barwin would be there at pick #34 (from KC in Cassel trade) with Miami picking at #25 as he's not really a value pick at that spot. However, if the Phins truly want him, he's a lot more attractive (and less expensive) at pick #31 or #32. The Patriots would have to take that into account; so much so that if they coveted him enough, it may force their hand into taking him at #23. Even if the Trifecta slots Barwin's value at pick #44 and New England was able to land him at #34, the trade down in this scenario was still likely effective at getting inside they collective Patriot mind, taking them out of their game to some degree and making them sweat. The sweaty mind games wouldn't end there. After the dance at the end of the opening round it would continue through round three with Miami having the following pick number upperhands: R2-MIA#44 to NEP#47 & MIA#56 to NEP#58, R3-MIA#87 to NEP#89 & MIA#95/#96 to NEP#97(compensatory). Can you imagine how worked Belichick and Co. would feel after three rounds of this? It's high time Parcells re-establishes/reinforces the nature of the Master/pupil relationship.
