We feel that most Browns’ fans would rather not see the team trade down in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft, and perhaps this is only because it makes for a shorter period of time before the team makes its first pick.
We see comments all the time from fans and media alike, akin to just take the guy you want when it’s your turn to pick and be done with it. There is some validity to that, but you also have to remember that the draft is the game within the game.
Meaning, you have to be aware and open to what other teams are doing and how it affects both the draft, and what players you like the best.
For example, let’s say the Browns really love Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland, they think he’s the best tackle available. Should they take him with the 10th overall pick?
Let’s also say they know most teams have a low first/high second round grade on this player. Would you take him 10th then?
In our opinion, that would be silly. In this scenario, why not trade down (if you can) to let’s say between 18-21 (we are avoiding the 22nd overall pick for bad karma reasons), and gain extra picks in either this year’s or next year’s selection process.
Or perhaps they don’t think there is much difference between the “big four” offensive tackles projected to be first rounders: Andrew Thomas from Georgia, Mekhi Becton of Louisville, Jedrick Wills of Alabama, and Tristan Wirfs of Iowa, and two of them are still sitting there at #10.
Meanwhile, another team, let’s say Las Vegas, wants to move up to get the best wide receiver available.
Why not trade down to the Raiders’ spot (#12) and pick up another high pick (third round or better) in either 2020 or 2021?
Fans would freak out about trading down, but if you can still get the player you want and get additional draft capital, you have to do it, no?
That’s what we mean when we say it’s a game. In every team’s war (this year virtual) room, there are discussions about not only what players the scouts love, but also what they believe other teams are going to do, and then try to make moves based on those thoughts.
If a player is projected to go high and doesn’t, assuming there are no red flags, the smart (read: winning) teams, try to jump up, seeing talent fall.
Bill Belichick has always said he loved to see teams reach for quarterbacks in drafts, because it pushes more talented players down to where the Patriots are normally picking.
We understand if you don’t have a quarterback you need one, but that should give you an idea of what happens if you draft one and miss. The good teams get better.
The NFL Draft isn’t just a matter of taking “the best player available” or taking the player at the biggest position of need. There definitely are other things at work.
It’s the game within the game.
And we apologize for all the cliches within this piece!
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 