Jags Trying Hard To Trade Out Of The Top Ten
Posted by Mike Florio on April 13, 2009, 4:42 p.m.
As the 2009 draft approaches, several teams in the top ten actively are trying to trade out of it.
Were hearing that this group includes the Lions, Chiefs, and Browns.
It also includes the Jaguars, whom were told are desperately trying to get out of the eighth overall spot in the draft.
But the Jags currently can find no takers.
Nor can any of the other teams in the top ten.
As one league source explained it, there are three issues making the top-ten teams want to get out, and keeping other teams from wanting to get in.
First, the money paid at the top of the draft has gotten out of hand. Even hard-core agent types who previously have argued with us about this issue are now admitting that the values of the contracts at the top of the process are too high.
Second, theres no bell cow in the draft no must-have player in the view of one or more teams.
Third, theres no real separation between the top players at each position. For example, Michael Crabtree isnt $20 million better than Hakeem Nicks. But if Crabtree goes within the first seven picks of the round and Nicks goes in the last ten, the dollar value of their respective contracts will entail a gap potentially that large, if not larger.
Ditto for the tackles and the quarterbacks.
So why take a guy at No. 2 when a comparable player can be gotten for much less money at No. 20?
In the end, this years experience could provide just enough ammunition to get a meaningful rookie wage scale implemented as part of the next CBA.
PFTALK" wrote: