(02-08-2022, 09:43 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote:

(02-08-2022, 08:27 PM)ATLjag Wrote: Last year, the first pick in the draft received a 4 year contract averaging $9.2m per year.  Regardless of position, the first pick this year would receive a similar deal.  Assuming you draft Neal and put him initially at RT, how does paying him about $9.2m compare to the top earning 10 RTs in the league (below).  Last year, Walker Little signed a 4 year deal averaging $1.9m.  From a financial standpoint, paying a starting LT/RT a combined $11.1m per year would be considered a bargain on most teams' cap, and paying a top RT (which I assume he would be for a top 3 pick in the draft) is reasonable for the RT position.  On a side note....Wirfs, the previous 13th selection, makes an average of $4.1m.  I don't think taking the positionally flexible Neal with the first pick would be bad for Trevor's health (or passing game) or financially unreasonable, even if he initially plays RT.  I am more an advocate for taking one of the DEs, but an OT would be OK.   

(average annual contract)
Ryan Ramczyk $19.2m
Brian O'Neill $18.5m
Lane Johnson $18.0m
Taylor Moton $17.8m
Braden Smith $17.5m
Nate Solder $15.5m
Jack Conklin $14.0m
Bryan Bulaga $10.0m
La'el Collins $10.0m
George Fant $9.1m

I don't like Neal, period. I think he's gonna be an average RT at best. If there was someone like Ryan Ramczyk in this draft, I'd be pounding the table for him. I wanted to draft Ramczyk in the 2017 NFL Draft instead of Leonard Fournette, but was told that was too high to select Ramczyk. 

You shouldn't just select a player #1 overall, because you have a huge need at that spot. The quality has to be there and this is a poor draft for OT's. Always take the BAP and this year, that is edge rusher.

In my mind, the issue I have with this draft is there is not a slam dunk elite prospect(s) that you typically see in other drafts for the number 1 pick.  My preference would be to move back, where BAP meets the value of the pick, and accumulate additional draft capital.   However, I don't think there is going to be much demand for the top pick, due to the lack of elite players (especially QBs).

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