Never Trade a 2nd Round Pick!

[Frank B]

With all the talk about us possibly moving up to grab a player in the first 3 picks, I want to throw out this opinion. We should never, ever consider trading away 2nd round picks to move up! Yes, the value chart says that 1st rounders are more valuable, and everyone thinks that 1st rounders are the glamorous picks. However, I would argue that 2nd rounders are more valuable in today's NFL.

If you look at past drafts, the 2nd rounders tend to fair just as well as the players picked in the 1st round. What's the difference between them? Guaranteed money that the team has to pay out. The 2nd rounders never carry as much of a cap number as the 1st rounders. When a team misses on a first rounder, the team is financially tied to that player for years, and his cap number hinders them for years. Second rounders usually perform just as well, but won't hinder a team's cap situation until his second contract negotiation.

With good scouting, a team can make a living in the second and third rounds, and at the same time preserve cap space for that rare free agent need.

 

[Finsfan1984]

[quote=Frank B;1061898344]With all the talk about us possibly moving up to grab a player in the first 3 picks, I want to throw out this opinion. We should never, ever consider trading away 2nd round picks to move up! Yes, the value chart says that 1st rounders are more valuable, and everyone thinks that 1st rounders are the glamorous picks. However, I would argue that 2nd rounders are more valuable in today's NFL.

If you look at past drafts, the 2nd rounders tend to fair just as well as the players picked in the 1st round. What's the difference between them? Guaranteed money that the team has to pay out. The 2nd rounders never carry as much of a cap number as the 1st rounders. When a team misses on a first rounder, the team is financially tied to that player for years, and his cap number hinders them for years. Second rounders usually perform just as well, but won't hinder a team's cap situation until his second contract negotiation.

With good scouting, a team can make a living in the second and third rounds, and at the same time preserve cap space for that rare free agent need.[/quote]



In part I agree with you. But you cant make a blanket statement saying NEVER trade away a second rounder. There are times that it is not only accepted to trade them, but rather viewed by the experts that it was a good move, and the right move to make. Now saying that, I would prefer not to trade. But, if its for the right person, i have no problem with it.

You start off by saying that a team needs to save its money by not spending it solely on 1st rounders, but then you say you want to save it and turn around and spend it on "Rare FA". Well I say to that, sometimes the rare player can be had in the draft if you make the trade to begin with.

I completely understand what youre saying, but i just feel like "you cant ever say never."

 

[Frank B]

You start off by saying that a team needs to save its money by not spending it solely on 1st rounders, but then you say you want to save it and turn around and spend it on "Rare FA". Well I say to that, sometimes the rare player can be had in the draft if you make the trade to begin with.

I completely understand what youre saying, but i just feel like "you cant ever say never."

I do believe that money is better spent on a proven free agent than on a draft pick that hasn't played in the NFL. With the exception of physical injury, the draft pick carries more risks than the proven, veteran player.

You're right. Maybe "never" is a strong word, but I believe it to be accurate in almost every case. In this draft, the only player that looks like a sure fire Pro Bowl player is Calvin Johnson. He's got no red flags. He might be the rare exception.

 

[Finsfan1984]

I do believe that money is better spent on a proven free agent than on a draft pick that hasn't played in the NFL. With the exception of physical injury, the draft pick carries more risks than the proven, veteran player.

You're right. Maybe "never" is a strong word, but I believe it to be accurate in almost every case. In this draft, the only player that looks like a sure fire Pro Bowl player is Calvin Johnson. He's got no red flags. He might be the rare exception.

I believe that the more picks you have in the draft, the better your chances are at making good picks, or picks that will pay off in the long run. I agree with you about the 2nd round picks and their value. I would love for us to be able to trade down and pick up a good player in round 1 and also get an additional 2nd rounder as well. I also believe that there are 2 players worth trading up for in the 1st, CJ and Quinn. Other than those, I wouldnt trade up at all. And even trading up for those two players, I wouldnt give up the bank for either. Like I said, I also believe in stockpiling picks much like you do!!!