Post by fireball on Apr 9, 2020 14:58:23 GMT -6
This was from Field Yates on epsn+
The hypothetical offer: Miami trades No. 5 and No. 39 in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Miami does it: Tua. When it comes to drafting a player you believe will become a franchise quarterback, there isn't really a price too rich to pay. While the Dolphins could likely select Tagovailoa if no trades take place in front of them (Detroit and the New York Giants at No. 4 are set at quarterback), that's not how the draft works. You seek certainty. The Dolphins are flush with a league-high 14 draft picks this year and plenty of extra capital in 2021 too. And this deal would still leave Miami with two back-end Day 1 selections to address other needs.
Why Detroit takes it: There's a fine line between moving down and not moving too far down for the Lions. This move results in only a two-pick slide and an extra top-40 selection that should yield an immediate starter. It keeps them in the mix for a couple of players who would fill notable needs. They've long been matched with Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, who would be an excellent value and likely available at the fifth pick. In fact, Okudah has been mocked to the Lions at No. 3, so they'd be getting their guy here while also adding an additional selection early on Day 2.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
The hypothetical offer: Los Angeles trades No. 6, No. 37 and a 2021 fourth-round pick in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Los Angeles does it: Again, it's all about Tagovailoa. At the risk of being redundant, Tua is the prize. The Chargers don't have a long-term quarterback solution on the roster, as projected starter Tyrod Taylor is a free agent next offseason. And given Tagovailoa's current recovery from his hip injury this past season, his best segue to the NFL would be a redshirt season, or at least a career that begins as a backup while he continues to grow more physically comfortable. The Chargers provide that landing spot.
Why Detroit takes it: Much of the same rationale applies here as it did with the Dolphins' offer. The Lions would be very much in the mix still at No. 6 for a player who they could justify taking at pick No. 3, be it Okudah or Clemson's Isaiah Simmons. While the Lions would likely prefer all the picks to be in 2020, the Chargers might be reticent to offer up a fourth-rounder this year because they would then be without a pick for 109 selections. It's another strong deal for Detroit as the Chargers pay the premium to leapfrog Miami.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The hypothetical offer: Jacksonville trades No. 9 and No. 20 in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Jacksonville does it: Look, I hear you. The Jaguars have done a lot of maneuvering at quarterback over the past 13 months, so maybe it's time to just ride things out. But are we remotely certain that Gardner Minshew II is the long-term option? There were moments of promise in 2019, and if he pans out as that player, he will represent one of the great values in football over the next three seasons. The Jaguars may also want to use 2020 as a year to evaluate the remaining pieces on their roster and not rush into a quarterback move, akin to how the Dolphins operated last season.
But if you have firm belief in a quarterback's promise, you have to consider the option. That's why Jacksonville does this deal.
Why Detroit takes it: Confidence in the depth of this class. While we've focused on the very top prospects in this year's class when projecting what the Lions will do, make no mistake that there are plenty of blue-chip talents who would make a two-first-rounders offer enticing. Among the players who would fit a need for the Lions at No. 9 are Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (if he slides a bit) and South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
And the 20th pick would allow Detroit to explore a variety of other needs, be it cornerback, more pass rushing or another offensive playmaker. There are plenty of directions to go there.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The hypothetical offer: Las Vegas trades No. 12, No. 19 and No. 80 in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Las Vegas does it: The Raiders have been as active as any franchise in the NFL in free agency, stockpiling players who fill needs and add football character to their locker room. When the team traded both Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, their reality with draft capital and cap space changed. They were flush with both and seem to be using each wisely.
So this deal represents an opportunistic endeavor. If the Raiders believe in Tagovailoa as a long-term franchise option, this is the year they are best-equipped to maneuver upward in the draft, given that they have an extra first-rounder and that their own first-rounder next year figures to be lower than No. 12, factoring in expected overall team improvement.
Why Detroit takes it: It's the identical logic that applies to the Jacksonville deal. Not only would the Lions now possess a pair of first-round picks, they would also have six of the first 85 overall selections. That'd give them a chance to select a half-dozen players they could count on to be immediate contributors. The Lions worked hard to rebuild the defense in free agency, and this deal could allow them to continue to hammer away at their remaining needs.
The hypothetical offer: Miami trades No. 5 and No. 39 in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Miami does it: Tua. When it comes to drafting a player you believe will become a franchise quarterback, there isn't really a price too rich to pay. While the Dolphins could likely select Tagovailoa if no trades take place in front of them (Detroit and the New York Giants at No. 4 are set at quarterback), that's not how the draft works. You seek certainty. The Dolphins are flush with a league-high 14 draft picks this year and plenty of extra capital in 2021 too. And this deal would still leave Miami with two back-end Day 1 selections to address other needs.
Why Detroit takes it: There's a fine line between moving down and not moving too far down for the Lions. This move results in only a two-pick slide and an extra top-40 selection that should yield an immediate starter. It keeps them in the mix for a couple of players who would fill notable needs. They've long been matched with Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, who would be an excellent value and likely available at the fifth pick. In fact, Okudah has been mocked to the Lions at No. 3, so they'd be getting their guy here while also adding an additional selection early on Day 2.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
The hypothetical offer: Los Angeles trades No. 6, No. 37 and a 2021 fourth-round pick in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Los Angeles does it: Again, it's all about Tagovailoa. At the risk of being redundant, Tua is the prize. The Chargers don't have a long-term quarterback solution on the roster, as projected starter Tyrod Taylor is a free agent next offseason. And given Tagovailoa's current recovery from his hip injury this past season, his best segue to the NFL would be a redshirt season, or at least a career that begins as a backup while he continues to grow more physically comfortable. The Chargers provide that landing spot.
Why Detroit takes it: Much of the same rationale applies here as it did with the Dolphins' offer. The Lions would be very much in the mix still at No. 6 for a player who they could justify taking at pick No. 3, be it Okudah or Clemson's Isaiah Simmons. While the Lions would likely prefer all the picks to be in 2020, the Chargers might be reticent to offer up a fourth-rounder this year because they would then be without a pick for 109 selections. It's another strong deal for Detroit as the Chargers pay the premium to leapfrog Miami.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The hypothetical offer: Jacksonville trades No. 9 and No. 20 in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Jacksonville does it: Look, I hear you. The Jaguars have done a lot of maneuvering at quarterback over the past 13 months, so maybe it's time to just ride things out. But are we remotely certain that Gardner Minshew II is the long-term option? There were moments of promise in 2019, and if he pans out as that player, he will represent one of the great values in football over the next three seasons. The Jaguars may also want to use 2020 as a year to evaluate the remaining pieces on their roster and not rush into a quarterback move, akin to how the Dolphins operated last season.
But if you have firm belief in a quarterback's promise, you have to consider the option. That's why Jacksonville does this deal.
Why Detroit takes it: Confidence in the depth of this class. While we've focused on the very top prospects in this year's class when projecting what the Lions will do, make no mistake that there are plenty of blue-chip talents who would make a two-first-rounders offer enticing. Among the players who would fit a need for the Lions at No. 9 are Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (if he slides a bit) and South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
And the 20th pick would allow Detroit to explore a variety of other needs, be it cornerback, more pass rushing or another offensive playmaker. There are plenty of directions to go there.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The hypothetical offer: Las Vegas trades No. 12, No. 19 and No. 80 in exchange for No. 3 overall
Why Las Vegas does it: The Raiders have been as active as any franchise in the NFL in free agency, stockpiling players who fill needs and add football character to their locker room. When the team traded both Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, their reality with draft capital and cap space changed. They were flush with both and seem to be using each wisely.
So this deal represents an opportunistic endeavor. If the Raiders believe in Tagovailoa as a long-term franchise option, this is the year they are best-equipped to maneuver upward in the draft, given that they have an extra first-rounder and that their own first-rounder next year figures to be lower than No. 12, factoring in expected overall team improvement.
Why Detroit takes it: It's the identical logic that applies to the Jacksonville deal. Not only would the Lions now possess a pair of first-round picks, they would also have six of the first 85 overall selections. That'd give them a chance to select a half-dozen players they could count on to be immediate contributors. The Lions worked hard to rebuild the defense in free agency, and this deal could allow them to continue to hammer away at their remaining needs.
