June 19, 2013

NFL Draft Rumors: Teams Look to Trade Down

February 24, 2010 by 23 Comments

2010 NFL draft logoI have been adamant about trading down in the draft since before last year’s NFL draft.  Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, and Gerard Warren will have that effect on you.  The Browns successfully traded down last year and selected Alex Mack.  You can argue that the Browns didn’t get enough for dropping all those spots, but they did end up with a solid center with potential.  The Browns also saved a boatload of money from Mark Sanchez down to Alex Mack.  And while the returns on Mark Sanchez appear to still be somewhat promising for Jets fans, you still have to admit that it should be easier to project a center as an NFL player than it is a quarterback.  Certainly Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith and Tim Couch would agree.

So now that we are looking toward the 2010 NFL draft, I was all prepared to spout off about how the Browns should consider trading down again.  I am definitely excited by the prospects of getting a difference-making defensive player in the draft, but at what cost?  The Browns are picking 7th in what could be the last draft class that doesn’t have to participate in a rookie wage scale.  Lucky us!  I guess my natural inclination to trade down was at least in line with the top brass around the league.  

It was reported that all of the top four teams in the draft would like to move down.  That means the Rams, Lions, Bucs and Redskins all could potentially be shopping their picks.  Add in the new report that the Jags are also looking to move out of the 10-spot and it means that supply could easily outmatch demand in the marketplace for top ten picks.  Therefore, I don’t think I can support the concept of trading down this season.  Sure, no matter what the Browns trade for, they would save salary dollars by trading down.  Then again, if they are truly looking to draft a defensive difference maker, then I think they have improved their chances of success dramatically.  Yes, I know Gerard Warren is a defensive player.

It stinks that the Browns might have one of the last really expensive draft picks in the history of the NFL draft assuming the NFL fixes this problem.  Then again, it just means we will get some first-hand experience seeing the skills and abilities of our new front office when the pressure is at its highest.  The Browns can’t miss on this draft pick.  Given that, it will be interesting to see how safe or ballsy they go.

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  • JK

    Intresting point Craig.. Thanks for the read.

  • stin4u

    I think with all that has been made about either Berry or Haden they’ll both be solid picks at #7 (assuming one of them falls that far). It’d be great to move down and perhaps grab and additional second rounder but, with all the teams looking to move coupled with good but not great draft class, I doubt we’d get it. I’m not sure how many moves they can make we could consider ballsy since there are so many glaring holes all over this team, unless of course they take a QB….that I would call ballsy.

  • MrCleaveland

    If there’s a real stud available that can make a difference, the Browns should grab him . . . even if it means moving UP. But if there are just good players available, then we might as well move down and settle for mediocrity this season.

  • Chris

    “Yes, I know Gerard Warren is a defensive player.”

    I disagree. I think his play was actually quite offensive.

  • Oppie

    I agree the Browns made the right decision last year by trading down, it’s the amount they got for it and the picks they made that I have a problem with (i.e. Brian Robiskie). We did a good job stockpiling picks for this deep draft, so I’m excited to see what Holmgren can do with them.

    I’m in for Berry or Haden. The only player I would justify trading up for would be Berry (assuming the price to get Suh is enormous) because the man is a game changer and I love the thought of him leading the Browns secondary for years to come. Haden should be available at 7, so if Berry isn’t available, stand pat and draft Haden. He should be a game changing corner and to call him an upgrade from Brandon McDonald would be an understatement.

    Just say NO to Jimmy Clausen.

  • Swig

    @Mr Cleave, I would be so happy with mediocrity.

  • MrCleaveland

    @6

    Swig,

    Yes, it’s a process, as someone likes to say. We strive for mediocrity, then contention, then playoff favorite, and then we get our guts ripped out in some hideous way. One step at a time.

  • The Other Tim

    Last year’s draft was about adding picks. Can’t we get high impact guy(s) and a lot of bodies in this draft?

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    Certainly Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith and Tim Couch would agree.

    Yes, but what about the Couch Bear’s thoughts on the matter?

    In all seriousness, I liked the trade down last year because Aaron Curry had just gotten selected. If the ‘Hawks had passed on him and the Browns had still traded down, I would have thrown stuff at the TV.

  • http://www.msblsim.com boogeyman

    @5 Oppie the Browns did a great job in trading down it’s just unfortunate they made horrible choices when finally making selections. Perhaps Mack’s continued improvement will lessen this but the Browns passed on some nice talent especially on defense. If Eric Berry or perhaps Joe Haden isn’t around at #7 then I wouldn’t mind seeing them trade down again but the draft should be interesting. When does free agency begin, is it before the draft? If so I hope the turnaround in talent starts there because I’d use that as an initial step and follow up with the draft. Just my opinion.

  • stin4u

    @Oppie I agree with you about Jimmy, the absolute last thing we need is to waste our first rounder on a QB. With that said also:

    Just say not to Tim Tebow (no matter where he’s available).

  • Matt#2

    Cleaveland@7
    “…One step at a time.”

    funny

  • mgbode

    Haden and/or Berry should be there at #7….would be very surprised if McClain wasn’t.

    Any of those 3 can be difference makers on defense. I say this is NOT the year to trade down.

    Now, if someone offers us the Ricky Williams package…well, I am not going to complain. But, I personally think this draft has a few stars at the top and I would love to grab one of them.

  • http://www.msblsim.com boogeyman

    @mgbode forget the Ricky Williams package the Browns need a Herschel Walker type deal but I’m with you especially when it comes to Eric Berry. I’m not as sold on Haden but compared to Wright and McDonald he’s already a Pro Bowler.

  • Harv 21

    Craig, I’m not so sure the supply/demand dynamic for higher picks will necessarily decrease the amount of trading down. It might just lower the price a team fetches for dropping. If Holmgren wants a certain guy he is sure no one else is eyeing, it makes sense to accept a 4th rounder to swap places, rather than holding out for something higher and getting no takers. There is no set trade value. An impulse buyer like Butch gave up a 2nd rounder to make sure he got Winslow; Savage took a 6th rounder to swap places with Baltimore. I can see us dumping a bunch of our multiple and potentially useless fifth and sixth round picks to swap draft positions with someone in the second and third rounds. We currently have 4 extra picks in the fifth and sixth rounds, and regardless of how bad we are few if any of them will make the team.

  • MP34

    For anyone that thinks Mark Sanchez is the bees knees please google the Deadspin article comparing him and JaMarcus Russel.

  • Eli

    If the Steelers trade up and get Suh, I might throw a coworker through a cube wall.

  • stin4u

    @Eli lol….you and me both brother.

  • http://www.msblsim.com boogeyman

    @17 Where was this rumoroed? I’d laugh or better yet move that much closer to rooting for the Steelers then the Browns I mean I can’t afford to wait on Cleveland anymore when it comes to football. Holmgren has a year maybe two after that I’ll care even less then I do now. That would be a nice move by Pittsburgh if true. We could see just how good Alex Mack is then!

  • CleveSteve

    2007 aside, this is the first draft since 2004 where I didn’t want us to trade down. With the likelihood so high that Haden or Berry will be there at #7, the value at that pick is just too good. Even if they are both gone (which is possible by way of Tampa and Seattle) there’s still McClain at LB (Roth is our only keeper at LB, inside or outside) or maybe Anthony Davis to put on the right side of the line. Possibly even Brandon Graham without a trade-down partner. I was called crazy for saying we should take Matthews last year even if we were stuck at #5, but how would that look now?

  • http://www.msblsim.com boogeyman
  • http://sportschump.net C

    This has the makings of a very interesting draft.

    [Sportschump]

  • Gelad

    I honestly think that there is ONLY one way the Browns can loose in this draft. This is if they trade UP to get RG3. Stay put and take him, fine. Take whomever is left if he is gone, fine. Trade down, fine,