This morning I was sifting through the best FA players trying to get a gauge on what's available. I've gotta admit it was pretty disappointing. Guys who realistically will be available seem like a poor value when you consider their health, age and what they will probably cost. I'm constantly amazed by their original draft round. These are listed on various articles as the best of the lot for 2020 (like the top 10 or so guys at the various player positions) and they are mid to even later draft round guys. Nothing at all wrong with that. But it just reinforces the thought that a number of the better players in the NFL, and certainly a number of the best free agents, were not 1st round, or even top rounds guys.
I'm fine with buying some roster help the expensive way. In fact, I know you have to overpay for some players this way. But for a team that can recognize and draft talent on a fairly consistent basis... that is preferable to overpaying for old and injured FAs that their own teams are letting walk due to the fact they will cost more than they are worth to their existing team. They are not considered valuable enough to offset the cap hit.
Personally, it kind of made me a bit sick to see what's out there right now (with some exceptions). Some don't look any better than Massey. How sad is that? It's paying top dollar for damaged or old goods. I'd so much rather draft our own young talent, assuming Nagy and our scouts have improved to the point that they can now do this more consistently. And in recent drafts they seem much better.
This morning I was sifting through the best FA players trying to get a gauge on what's available. I've gotta admit it was pretty disappointing. Guys who realistically will be available seem like a poor value when you consider their health, age and what they will probably cost. I'm constantly amazed by their original draft round. These are listed on various articles as the best of the lot for 2020 (like the top 10 or so guys at the various player positions) and they are mid to even later draft round guys. Nothing at all wrong with that. But it just reinforces the thought that a number of the better players in the NFL, and certainly a number of the best free agents, were not 1st round, or even top rounds guys.
I'm fine with buying some roster help the expensive way. In fact, I know you have to overpay for some players this way. But for a team that can recognize and draft talent on a fairly consistent basis... that is preferable to overpaying for old and injured FAs that their own teams are letting walk due to the fact they will cost more than they are worth to their existing team. They are not considered valuable enough to offset the cap hit.
Personally, it kind of made me a bit sick to see what's out there right now (with some exceptions). Some don't look any better than Massey. How sad is that? It's paying top dollar for damaged or old goods. I'd so much rather draft our own young talent, assuming Nagy and our scouts have improved to the point that they can now do this more consistently. And in recent drafts they seem much better.
It really doesn't matter how you acquire talent, just that you acquire it. You don't have to over spend in free agency, you have to spend wisely on guys with upside that fit your system. You can draft players all day long...but like free agency, if you don't pick wisely you still end up with crap.
This morning I was sifting through the best FA players trying to get a gauge on what's available. I've gotta admit it was pretty disappointing. Guys who realistically will be available seem like a poor value when you consider their health, age and what they will probably cost. I'm constantly amazed by their original draft round. These are listed on various articles as the best of the lot for 2020 (like the top 10 or so guys at the various player positions) and they are mid to even later draft round guys. Nothing at all wrong with that. But it just reinforces the thought that a number of the better players in the NFL, and certainly a number of the best free agents, were not 1st round, or even top rounds guys.
I'm fine with buying some roster help the expensive way. In fact, I know you have to overpay for some players this way. But for a team that can recognize and draft talent on a fairly consistent basis... that is preferable to overpaying for old and injured FAs that their own teams are letting walk due to the fact they will cost more than they are worth to their existing team. They are not considered valuable enough to offset the cap hit.
Personally, it kind of made me a bit sick to see what's out there right now (with some exceptions). Some don't look any better than Massey. How sad is that? It's paying top dollar for damaged or old goods. I'd so much rather draft our own young talent, assuming Nagy and our scouts have improved to the point that they can now do this more consistently. And in recent drafts they seem much better.
It really doesn't matter how you acquire talent, just that you acquire it. You don't have to over spend in free agency, you have to spend wisely on guys with upside that fit your system. You can draft players all day long...but like free agency, if you don't pick wisely you still end up with crap.
I believe that too. It's a judicious mix that keeps within budget. But ideally there is a steady stream of quality young talent coming into your roster year after year through the draft. You can pick and choose who you retain for a 2nd contract. These guys know your scheme and can seamlessly continue in your system. And then you supplement it all with players that are no longer retained by their own team - you buy these guys at retail market prices. But I agree completely that you need to pick wisely in both the draft and FA.
The reason I was looking at potential FA today was to just see what's out there as far as OL. I came away thinking I'd rather draft than bid on most of the FA guys out there (there are some that did look good). Some were pretty old guys. Others had injuries (made me think of Kyle Long).