03-10-2023, 08:54 PM -
As I said earlier, I was surprised and understand the furor this will set off amongst the fans and some 'talking heads'. Bond, James Bond covered a lot of it, but a few thoughts here.
I'm actually liking the trade a LOT more than my first glance. We all knew that Fitts was going all in. He told us he was. So, no surprise there. If you think about it--- The only way we draft a high-quality QB is from near the TOP of the board (usually..). Yes, I know there are a FEW successful QBs come out of later rounds or lower draft positions, but the operative word there is "FEW". In order to be 'assured', if that's even possible, of getting a true NFL starting QB is to draft high in the 1st round. So this move takes care of that.
So, what did we actually give up.?? Well..... we gave up a 1st round pick (1) next year, a late 2nd rounder this year, and a 2nd in the future (2025)...AND DJ Moore.
Make no mistake about it. DJ Moore is the only real loss here. How do you measure his value..?? Well, like McCaffrey before him, all players have value. Some have more value to other teams. That is where Moore landed. A receiver has NO value without a QB. AND, there are a LOT more quality WRs in this league than there are QBs....A LOT more. A WR is a LOT easier to replace than a QB....that is the bottom line.
As far as the picks go....let's think about it for a minute. Looking forward, this was probably the ONLY year we could afford moving up to that position. With any luck, we will win a division this coming year, or at least a wildcard. That will put us in the 20s draft position next year. So...How do you move up from the 20s to near the top..???? Almost impossible. And every time we have even a moderately successful year, we have LOW draft picks. So what are the chances of moving up then..?? You have to have something to trade. Something with 'value' to the high draft position teams. Honestly, I think this year was probably our only opportunity to draft this high. If we don't move up this year, we won't have that opportunity again for awhile. At least as fans, we hope that's true.
And as Bond, James Bond mentioned.... There is always the possibility we now trade back a spot or two and still get "our guy". That would make it even better. Remember, this still has to be signed and sealed on Wednesday. Until then....???
Last thing to remember. If this happens, and I believe it will...... The Panthers control their own destiny (short term..)----BECAUSE they will control the 1st round draft board.....and maybe some other spots as well.
OH....AND the future picks we gave up. Who knows about them.?? My guess is they will be picks down the list somewhere probably in the 20s or thereabouts.. Yes, they have value. But probably not "high pick" value. Not like top 10 value...or 33-42 value. Remember there is a lot of difference between picking at #1 and picking at #26...OR picking at #33 versus picking at #58. That's a LOT of players under the bridge (If you'll excuse the mixed metaphor..).
I'm actually liking the trade a LOT more than my first glance. We all knew that Fitts was going all in. He told us he was. So, no surprise there. If you think about it--- The only way we draft a high-quality QB is from near the TOP of the board (usually..). Yes, I know there are a FEW successful QBs come out of later rounds or lower draft positions, but the operative word there is "FEW". In order to be 'assured', if that's even possible, of getting a true NFL starting QB is to draft high in the 1st round. So this move takes care of that.
So, what did we actually give up.?? Well..... we gave up a 1st round pick (1) next year, a late 2nd rounder this year, and a 2nd in the future (2025)...AND DJ Moore.
Make no mistake about it. DJ Moore is the only real loss here. How do you measure his value..?? Well, like McCaffrey before him, all players have value. Some have more value to other teams. That is where Moore landed. A receiver has NO value without a QB. AND, there are a LOT more quality WRs in this league than there are QBs....A LOT more. A WR is a LOT easier to replace than a QB....that is the bottom line.
As far as the picks go....let's think about it for a minute. Looking forward, this was probably the ONLY year we could afford moving up to that position. With any luck, we will win a division this coming year, or at least a wildcard. That will put us in the 20s draft position next year. So...How do you move up from the 20s to near the top..???? Almost impossible. And every time we have even a moderately successful year, we have LOW draft picks. So what are the chances of moving up then..?? You have to have something to trade. Something with 'value' to the high draft position teams. Honestly, I think this year was probably our only opportunity to draft this high. If we don't move up this year, we won't have that opportunity again for awhile. At least as fans, we hope that's true.
And as Bond, James Bond mentioned.... There is always the possibility we now trade back a spot or two and still get "our guy". That would make it even better. Remember, this still has to be signed and sealed on Wednesday. Until then....???
Last thing to remember. If this happens, and I believe it will...... The Panthers control their own destiny (short term..)----BECAUSE they will control the 1st round draft board.....and maybe some other spots as well.
OH....AND the future picks we gave up. Who knows about them.?? My guess is they will be picks down the list somewhere probably in the 20s or thereabouts.. Yes, they have value. But probably not "high pick" value. Not like top 10 value...or 33-42 value. Remember there is a lot of difference between picking at #1 and picking at #26...OR picking at #33 versus picking at #58. That's a LOT of players under the bridge (If you'll excuse the mixed metaphor..).
This post was last modified: 03-10-2023, 09:06 PM by Hobbit99.