# 2016 NFL Draft Discussion

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [April 14, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186 "2016-04-14T14:07:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/41 "2016-04-20T18:39:50Z")

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Wellllllllllllllllllll

I haven’t watched any film too closely, but I’ve switched who I thought was better between Wentz and Goff approximately 2,966 times over the last couple months. Maybe they’re close to equal. At least it will be yet another impossibly fascinating Eagles season.

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**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/42 "2016-04-20T19:18:22Z")

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> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#):
>
> I wasn’t aware you could trade draft picks from prior years.

It’s actually the Browns’ 2017 4th round pick.

Either that, or it’s Pierre Desir (the Browns’ fourth-round pick in 2014)…

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**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/43 "2016-04-20T19:44:15Z")

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> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> The Browns are actually an example of a team that’s traded down over and over again, and been lauded for getting value on draft day, and having no results come from it. The results are a data point against trading down.

Would you have liked it if the Browns had Luke Kuechly instead of Trent Richardson. Or Harrison Smith or David DeCastro instead of Brandon Wheedon. Or Sheldon Richardson or Star Lotulelei instead of Barkevious Mingo. Or Terron Armstead instead of Leon McFadden. Or Kelvin Benjamin instead of Manziel. Or Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick instead of Phillip Taylor. Or Randall Cobb instead of Greg Little.

The Browns problem isn’t that they’ve traded down. It’s that they don’t draft well period. That, and let talent like Mitchell Schwartz go and they don’t have the depth to handle injuries like the last couple years. I don’t think they’re a team that is just an adequate QB away from contending.

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**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/44 "2016-04-20T19:55:40Z")

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It’s both. It’s harder to draft later in the draft. Would I be happy with those picks? Not terribly. We’d be a 7-9 team with no quarterback every year.

After almost two decades of watching absolute futility at the quarterback position and having that result in a joke of a franchise, solving QB is the only thing that interests me. Unless RG3 comes out of the gate firing, my interest in this season is almost nothing.

If they use the #8 to grab Lynch, that’s just disaster that will sink the team for years to come.

What they got in return for the pick is really nothing special. They must have a specific person targeted they can grab at #8, because certainly that’s not the sort of take that would persuade you from giving up someone you wanted.

Edit: On the other hand, if the Rams take Goff, I’m okay with this.

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**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/45 "2016-04-20T20:01:26Z")

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> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> I think that it’s always fashionable to bash a team that gives up a kings ransom for a QB. **Hamlet** loves attacking these teams, be it Washington with RG3, the Bears with Cutler, the Browns like 5 different times, whoever. A

Hamlet is apparently precogniscent.

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**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/46 "2016-04-20T20:38:46Z")

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> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> Edit: On the other hand, if the Rams take Goff, I’m okay with this.

So you’re sold on Goff, but not on Wentz or Lynch. I can see that (although Goff doesn’t quite get my motor running, I think he’s the best of the bunch this year). So, the only way the Browns lose out (to you) is if the Rams take Wentz. Otherwise, they’re only moving down 6, and picking up a first rounder next year, a couple starter possible picks this year, and a second rounder 2 years down the road. That seems like a good move. If the Rams take Goff.

My concern would be that my list of guys I think the Browns should take at #8 is only 5 long and moving down takes the risk of losing out on all of them. But if they can land Tunsill (not a great need with Joe Thomas, but he’s pretty darn good and can play RT until Thomas is done), Bosa, Buckner, Ramsey, or Jack, I think they’d be in a fine position. And I think some other team with a case of the QB desperations may move up to the top 7 for Lynch, so they should be in good shape.

As with all things, we shall see.

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**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/47 "2016-04-20T21:54:12Z")

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Man, the Eagles have a lot tied up in the QB position…

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/48 "2016-04-20T21:59:09Z")

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> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> [No, they didn’t.](http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d828a1a27/article/nfl-draft-trade-tracker-details-of-all-the-moves)
> 
> Throwing in 4th rounders to move up or down a few spots at the end of the first round isn’t at all what you were talking about with your post.
> 
> Which is the opposite point you were trying to make when you took a gratuitous swipe at the Browns.
> 
> Edit: I’m not offended about the swipe, by the way. They’re one of the worst organizations in sports and you can find all sorts of things to blame them for. I guess I’m just objecting to how wrong it is. You can’t just throw them on every list of mistakes teams have made.
> 
> Trading some late round picks to move up a bit here and there doesn’t qualify as trading assets - it’s done routinely and for all positions, it has nothing to do with the blockbuster trades we’re talking about. Their approach has never been “middle of the road”, they’ve simply tried to get by second+ tier prospects at the quarterback position and never failed.
> 
> The Browns are actually an example of a team that’s traded down over and over again, and been lauded for getting value on draft day, and having no results come from it. The results are a data point against trading down.
> 
> I’m actually kind of afraid to see it again this year. I’m dreading when they trade down in the first round and then take Lynch or Cook. That would be consistent with their past actions.

I did a quick scan for QBs where their picks were the result of trades. In Weeden’s case I forgot that the pick the Browns used was received from the Falcons as part of the bounty for Julio Jones. My mistake.

They did trade up to get Quinn. They gave up a fair bit, a future first and a high second, to get him. I understand that this isn’t a apples-to-apples comparison to these 1st/2nd overall pick trades but neither was the Cutler trade, and my intent was to point out that **Hamlet** pretty much is always against “overpaying” for a QB. They traded up to get Manziel too, but paid a lot less just swapping 1sts (+4 spots) and tossing in a 3rd.

But you’re right, they have frequently traded down from the top of the draft to add picks (like the Rams did) and had little to show for it, proving that there’s usually no clear winner and loser in any of these blockbuster trades.

Other than the Cowboys trading Hershel, who actually built a winner on the other side of one of these blockbuster trades? The Broncos success came way after trading Jay, the Rams didn’t after RG3, the Browns didn’t with Julio, the Redskins didn’t with Ricky, the Chargers kinda did after the Eli and Vick trades but mostly because they still got Rivers and LDT in those drafts, but the rest of the picks were forgettable, and the Cardinals didn’t after the Chargers moved up for Leaf.

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**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/49 "2016-04-20T22:01:02Z")

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I’ve never been a fan of these “mortgage the franchise” type trades. Didn’t work for the Saints when Ditka did it to get Ricky Williams. Great deals for the Browns and Titans, but I just don’t see it for the Rams and Iggles. If there was a QB that calls Archie Manning “grandpa” in the draft, yeah–maybe. Otherwise, just not seeing it this year.

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/50 "2016-04-20T22:39:00Z")

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> [@Hamlet](#):
>
> And I think some other team with a case of the QB desperations may move up to the top 7 for Lynch, so they should be in good shape.

This would utterly shock me and if the Browns take him at #8, I’m with **Beef** in thinking it’s another colossal Browns blunder. Honestly, after watching a fair bit of tape on him, Lynch is Colin Kaepernick. Great standing around in spandex, but bad feet and really inconsistent ball placement under pressure. He’ll be a turnover machine. I was surprised how frequently he missed throws in the controlled environment at the Combine too, a big red flag for me - though to be fair he was no worse than Cook or Hackenberg.

I’m a little ashamed to say I’m getting a little infatuated with Hackenberg as an upside guy for a team with an established aging starter who can coach him up from 2 seasons before he has to play. And the Bears are one of those teams, along with the Cowpokes, Chargers and Saints. If the Bears grab him in the 3rd round I’ll probably be pumped, kinda doubt he gets out of the 2nd round though.

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**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/51 "2016-04-20T23:09:20Z")

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Didn’t the Saints get their developmental guy last year?

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**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/52 "2016-04-21T02:30:41Z")

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> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> I don’t think that matters that much either, neither Manning was clear cut either. Plenty of people felt strongly that Leaf and Rivers were better those years, they were in the minority, but it wasn’t clear cut.

I still say Leaf was better.

ETA: I admit that the jury’s still out.

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/53 "2016-04-21T03:57:04Z")

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> [@kidchameleon](#):
>
> Didn’t the Saints get their developmental guy last year?

I mean, Grayson was a 3rd rounder and they are hoping he develops, but you need to take multiple swings at success when you’re shopping in the 3rd-4th rounds.

The Bears took Fales in 2014, but you’d be crazy to sit back and trust that he’s the heir apparent, you always need to be adding upside guys until you’re sure if that’s your long term strategy.

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**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/54 "2016-04-25T18:29:35Z")

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[Sam Bradford demands trade after Eagles move up to #2.](http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15353852/sam-bradford-demanding-trade-philadelphia-eagles) He says he won’t show up for (voluntary) off-season workouts.

Think anyone else wants him?

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**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/55 "2016-04-25T18:30:30Z")

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Only if he draws the short straw when Denver picks it’s QB out of Bradford/Hoyer/Fitz/Kaep/Tebow.

With that defense… a return of Tebow would be the greatest thing that could happen this season. Watching people get all flustered over Tebow’s improbable winstreak a few years back was one of the most fun times the NFL has ever had.

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**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/56 "2016-04-25T22:55:40Z")

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Maybe the Jets. Bradford can keep all his green accessories.

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/57 "2016-04-26T09:10:34Z")

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The amount of money promised to Bradford is utterly stupid. There’s no way he gets traded unless the Eagles find a way to eat a ton of that salary.

Denver would probably be the ideal landing spot, way better than Kaepernick, but Denver only wanted to pay him $7 mil and I don’t see that going up for Bradford.

The Jets are also a really soft landing spot but they aren’t going to guarantee him $24M either.

Philly was stupid to negotiate against themselves, especially if this trade up was a possibility. Might work out to be a great break for Chase Daniels.

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**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/58 "2016-04-26T12:12:37Z")

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> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> The amount of money promised to Bradford is utterly stupid.

It does my heart good to hear you say that. A highly touted, yet unproven, young QB and former #1 draft pick, who was also PFF’s 11th rated QB last year, is overpaid and likely unworthy of a blockbuster trade. There is hope for you yet.

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**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/59 "2016-04-26T16:35:16Z")

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Isn’t Bradford only under contract for one more year? What’s the big deal? Battle it out with a rookie, win the job, perform well and get your next big payday somewhere else. I don’t get why he wants out of Philly over this.

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**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-nfl-draft-discussion/752186/60 "2016-04-26T18:26:28Z")

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Why so hard to understand? New coach getting his own fresh QB, and the team mortgaged a shit ton to obtain said rookie passer. The only way the Eagles could have made our more clear Bradford wasn’t wanted anymore would be to hold the door open for him on his way out.

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