You think this would shake up the Draft!?

[Dr Do Itch Big]

Possible Draft Strategery for the Detroit Lions: Skip the First Pick
I have heard some talk of this on different sites. If so how do you guys think it would effect us? (trades, etc...)
Possible Draft Strategery for the Detroit Lions: Skip the First Pick --NFL FanHouse

[Smooter]

lol @ strategery.

[GMScud]

They need to change the rookie pay scale. The fact that teams would even consider this stuff is silly.

No one wants to give damn near $40M in guarantees to a kid who has never played a snap of professional ball, especially if those teams with the top few picks aren't sold on any one player.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

They need to change the rookie pay scale. The fact that teams would even consider this stuff is silly.

No one wants to give damn near $40M in guarantees to a kid who has never played a snap of professional ball, especially if those teams with the top few picks aren't sold on any one player.

It's the only logical thing to do. For a rookie to come into the league and be paid like a pro bowl player without ever playing a game at this level is ridiculous.

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

It's the only logical thing to do. For a rookie to come into the league and be paid like a pro bowl player without ever playing a game at this level is ridiculous.

Basketball Rookie Cap is the perfect way to do it imo, it is beyond ridiculus for teams to actually ponder not wanting to draft in 1st round. In fact i think this is why the bad football teams stay bad, cuz they get stuck with these insane contracts to guys that are not proven.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Zerohero

Basketball Rookie Cap is the perfect way to do it imo, it is beyond ridiculus for teams to actually ponder not wanting to draft in 1st round. In fact i think this is why the bad football teams stay bad, cuz they get stuck with these insane contracts to guys that are not proven.

I agree. It seems to work fine for them. From what I've read, the vets are a little upset about this as well and I don't blame them. Not having a rookie cap benefits no one except the rookie and his agent and puts a strain on the cap.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GMScud

They need to change the rookie pay scale. The fact that teams would even consider this stuff is silly.

No one wants to give damn near $40M in guarantees to a kid who has never played a snap of professional ball, especially if those teams with the top few picks aren't sold on any one player.

Spot on.

[SC Skins Fan]

It would make a mockery of the draft system and would (or should) embarrass the NFL. The Lions would take some PR heat for it, but it would be a good statement about the absurdity of rookie contracts at the top of the draft. Maybe it would force the NFL to seriously consider a rookie pay scale, though I guess it would be the players would be resist such a move. Which doesn't make much sense to me since it would result in higher contracts for veterans (if the revenue was still divided in the same way) and the current system only benefits a small handful of guys.

[mrreddman]

No way in hell that happens. Its way to risky if you want a specific player. Not to mention your gonna piss of your fan base, player, agents etc. and have a difficult contract negotiation to deal with whenever you do pick. Plus why not just trade back and pick up a pick or 2 in the process?

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by mrreddman

No way in hell that happens. Its way to risky if you want a specific player. Not to mention your gonna piss of your fan base, player, agents etc. and have a difficult contract negotiation to deal with whenever you do pick. Plus why not just trade back and pick up a pick or 2 in the process?

But, Detroit is not looking for a specific player and would be just as content with one of about 3-4 players, QB OL, or LB. You say why not just trade back, because NO ONE will trade for a top 3 pick.

Personally I think it would be hilarious if the draft went 30 minutes (top 3 teams) and no pick had been made because no one wanted to pay that 1st pick type of money.

I hope the new CBA (whenever it is reached) has a 2yr Rookie Contract clause. Is it possible to structure the pay based on average years per position? for example a RB may only average about 8-10 years, but a safety may average 13-15. So a rookie RB contract might be paid slightly higher, than at the end of 2 years, the drafting team is given a strong ability to re-sign the player at market conditions. It seems like this would enable teams to build home grown talent, plus make draft day trades more do-able.

[Sonny9TD]

Originally Posted by mrreddman

No way in hell that happens. Its way to risky if you want a specific player. Not to mention your gonna piss of your fan base, player, agents etc. and have a difficult contract negotiation to deal with whenever you do pick. Plus why not just trade back and pick up a pick or 2 in the process?

Indeed. The Lions should trade down for the 2nd best Qb and another impact player.

[Daseal]

IMO -- Not a terrible idea if you can't get a player signed pre-draft. It's a good way to save money and still get one of your top players. Perhaps Detroit has Stafford, Curry, Monroe, and the other OT (name escaping me right now) all ranked very closely. Why not save millions of dollars and still come away with someone you really want.

[Dirtbag59]

ESPN actually has a cool mock draft application and in doing mine I got pretty scared. When I did it Crabtree fell to 7 and as a result Jeremy Maclin fell to us. It made me very sad face.

[MTK]

It sure would be interesting wouldn't it?

[Hog1]

I will be..........waiting......watching