Gene Smith: "Build through the draft"


*Trades away draft picks*

 

It's a problem that should have been seen much earlier.  As early as when he traded up for Derek Cox.  No matter how well Cox turned out... 

 

Caldwell's biggest issue right now looks to be replacing the talent we've already got, rather than building around what we've got.  If LJ is an upgrade to Monroe however, I think that will turn out to not be such a bad thing. 

 

Not shopping Monroe around... that's hard to say if he should have or not.  


How would the Jaguars feel if they offered the Ravens a 4th and 5th for a player they need, and then the Titans jumped up and offered a 3rd for that same player, and the Ravens decided to deal with the Titans instead?

 

I think fans overvalue Monroe a bit too.  He's been a bright spot on an otherwise dim o-line.  I think Caldwell was looking for ammunition to trade up.  Turn a 3rd into a 2nd or maybe a 2nd into a late 1st.  It's better to have ammunition to trade up, then to try and do like Gene Smith -- throw away Draft Picks while preaching their importance.

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