Is trading down worth giving up the chance to take a future Pro-Bowler

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

You give them too much credit for foresight. Its impossible to know a year in advance what the draft will look like. Guys have stellar senior campaigns (or flop), there are injuries, juniors come out, etc. etc. etc. The guy you love is a perfect example. Okoye was set up to be a second round pick prior to his work at the Senior Bowl and scouting combine. I say you probably want to stay in the top 10, but if Miami comes strong in a move to get Quinn (and that would require them giving up a 2nd, and I'd rather have their 1st [#40] than their 2nd [#60] but that would be highway robbery) then I say make the move. I think Okoye could very well slip past Atlanta and you get him anyway, and if not then you take someone like Carriker (who I like more than Anderson, but what do I know). The draft is a total crap shoot so you need more chances to roll the dice. If you can pick up a 2nd then do it. You have just as much chance of picking a Pro Bowler at 9 as you do at 6 (in 2005 Demarcus Ware went #11 and Shawn Merriman #12. Just before them Pacman, Troy Williamson, Antrel Rolle, Carlos Rogers, and Mike Williams went 6-10).

Great post. Most of us think Okoye would be the best pick because the analysts think so (including me). However, I am aware that most great players out-perform their draft value. It is totally possible that the best D-Lineman from this draft comes deeper than #6.