Trading Away Draft Picks: Youth vs. Experience
As the 2010 NFL Draft approaches, drafthuddle.com takes a look at the price teams are willing to pay in order to part
ways with either their star athletes or draft picks. In the NFL it is very rare that teams trade away their first round draft
picks, typically opting to use those draft picks on younger prospects with perhaps more potential. However, with the
popularity of free agency and the drastic increases in rookie salaries, teams have been more willing to entertain
trade proposals involving draft picks. The chart below displays some of the more recent trades involving high value
draft picks:
Based on the previous trades made, many of the players traded for draft picks have proven to work in favor of the
team receiving the player. To compare the player for pick trades, we look at each draft pick(s) traded and see who
was selected using the draft pick. The chart below displays the results:
Although early in many of the above players careers, it is undeniable that the proven veteran players traded for draft
picks, produced more and impacted their respective teams greater. Of the thirteen total players traded, the average
age is: 29 - which regardless of what position gives a player several more years of quality play. Out of the twelve
trades analyzed, 8 of the 13 players traded have been and/or are NFL pro bowlers. Randy Moss, Jared Allen, Jason
Peters, and Matt Schaub have all been voted into the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. This begs the question, why would a
franchise trade away a pro bowl caliber player with several years of quality play left? Not all of the players traded
have been stellar additions to their new teams. Jason Taylor was released after one season in Washington; Darrell
Jackson never amassed 800 receiving yards with the 49ers; Roy Williams has been the most inconsistent "number
one" receiver on the Cowboys roster; and Jay Cutler led the NFL in interceptions thrown in 2009.
Based on the most recent trades and how each team has faired, why wouldn't a team trade a draft pick (or even
multiple ones) for a player that has proven their value over an unproven rookie? In addition to the rookie and
inexperience typically comes a high rookie salary which increases year after year. We have seen rookie
compensation packages literally explode, with $20, $30, even $40 million dollar signing bonuses being handed out.
That is a hefty price to pay, especially if the money is not worth the performance: i.e. Jamarcus Russell: $31 million
guaranteed and a 6-years $61 million deal. This not only drives up future rookie compensation packages (Matthew
Stafford: $41.7 million guaranteed and a 6-years $72 million deal) but also handicaps an organization's salary cap to
potentially sign proven veterans via free agency.
What this boils down to is that there is a large (almost too high) emphasis placed on the draft. And by draft, I mean
high first round picks. By no means is this website discrediting or even downplaying the importance of the draft. We
are fully aware the draft makes NFL franchises and a large majority of players were worth their draft pick. But, if given
the choice between a consistent, yet aging running back such as Thomas Jones vs. an unproven rookie - I would ride
out Jones. Not only for experience and statistical reasons, but also for salary cap purposes. This is something
Chicago should have thought about before letting Jones go for Cedric Benson. Jones has rushed for 3,833 yards
and 28 touchdowns in three years since being released. Even though the former Texas star split carries, Benson
only rushed for 1,593 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with the Bears. Benson was released later. The old
NFL adage that the "draft can make or break a franchise" is completely true. With proper scouting and a little bit of
luck, you can always find a superstar. Teams will have to get younger at some point and rookie development breeds
competition amongst teams. This article is not meant to deter efforts focused on the draft, but rather shed some light
on the under-appreciated NFL veteran. With that, NFL franchises need to be more aware of their current talent and
rosters as opposed to salivating over a 40-yard dash times.
- Draft Huddle
As the 2010 NFL Draft approaches, drafthuddle.com takes a look at the price teams are willing to pay in order to part
ways with either their star athletes or draft picks. In the NFL it is very rare that teams trade away their first round draft
picks, typically opting to use those draft picks on younger prospects with perhaps more potential. However, with the
popularity of free agency and the drastic increases in rookie salaries, teams have been more willing to entertain
trade proposals involving draft picks. The chart below displays some of the more recent trades involving high value
draft picks:
Based on the previous trades made, many of the players traded for draft picks have proven to work in favor of the
team receiving the player. To compare the player for pick trades, we look at each draft pick(s) traded and see who
was selected using the draft pick. The chart below displays the results:
Although early in many of the above players careers, it is undeniable that the proven veteran players traded for draft
picks, produced more and impacted their respective teams greater. Of the thirteen total players traded, the average
age is: 29 - which regardless of what position gives a player several more years of quality play. Out of the twelve
trades analyzed, 8 of the 13 players traded have been and/or are NFL pro bowlers. Randy Moss, Jared Allen, Jason
Peters, and Matt Schaub have all been voted into the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. This begs the question, why would a
franchise trade away a pro bowl caliber player with several years of quality play left? Not all of the players traded
have been stellar additions to their new teams. Jason Taylor was released after one season in Washington; Darrell
Jackson never amassed 800 receiving yards with the 49ers; Roy Williams has been the most inconsistent "number
one" receiver on the Cowboys roster; and Jay Cutler led the NFL in interceptions thrown in 2009.
Based on the most recent trades and how each team has faired, why wouldn't a team trade a draft pick (or even
multiple ones) for a player that has proven their value over an unproven rookie? In addition to the rookie and
inexperience typically comes a high rookie salary which increases year after year. We have seen rookie
compensation packages literally explode, with $20, $30, even $40 million dollar signing bonuses being handed out.
That is a hefty price to pay, especially if the money is not worth the performance: i.e. Jamarcus Russell: $31 million
guaranteed and a 6-years $61 million deal. This not only drives up future rookie compensation packages (Matthew
Stafford: $41.7 million guaranteed and a 6-years $72 million deal) but also handicaps an organization's salary cap to
potentially sign proven veterans via free agency.
What this boils down to is that there is a large (almost too high) emphasis placed on the draft. And by draft, I mean
high first round picks. By no means is this website discrediting or even downplaying the importance of the draft. We
are fully aware the draft makes NFL franchises and a large majority of players were worth their draft pick. But, if given
the choice between a consistent, yet aging running back such as Thomas Jones vs. an unproven rookie - I would ride
out Jones. Not only for experience and statistical reasons, but also for salary cap purposes. This is something
Chicago should have thought about before letting Jones go for Cedric Benson. Jones has rushed for 3,833 yards
and 28 touchdowns in three years since being released. Even though the former Texas star split carries, Benson
only rushed for 1,593 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with the Bears. Benson was released later. The old
NFL adage that the "draft can make or break a franchise" is completely true. With proper scouting and a little bit of
luck, you can always find a superstar. Teams will have to get younger at some point and rookie development breeds
competition amongst teams. This article is not meant to deter efforts focused on the draft, but rather shed some light
on the under-appreciated NFL veteran. With that, NFL franchises need to be more aware of their current talent and
rosters as opposed to salivating over a 40-yard dash times.
- Draft Huddle
|
|
|
| |||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |