I agree with Gabriel regarding the best option is trading back. I mentioned this in another thread, but I've got some serious wood for all those Browns picks and I want some of them. My primary concern and interest in those picks, however, is not this year, but next. The 2018 QB class looks like it is head and shoulders above 2017, so what is the best way to adjust our high pick this year into a high pick next year? Move back this year and add ammunition to move up next year. The Browns have three 2nd round picks in 2018, not to mention two second rounders this year to go along with the 12th overall. There is enough flexibility in their volume of picks to allow us to potential hit the sweet spot in some of the depth positions this year while at the same time, adding assets to be able to move up next year (if necessary). Who knows, maybe we'll have the first overall next year and wont need it, but if we get lucky in 2017 with some meaningless games and wind up in the middle of the draft, we could miss out on a real, honest to God QB. Some are speculating 2018 may be the year of the QB, so lets position ourselves to take advantage.
"The 2018 QB class looks like it is head and shoulders above 2017, so what is the best way to adjust our high pick this year into a high pick next year?"
Be very carefull w/that theory, that's what has been said just about every year. This year was supposed to be better then last year specifically, and now it's not. There is just no way of knowing how the draft class will unfold until the college season starts.
I agree with Gabriel regarding the best option is trading back. I mentioned this in another thread, but I've got some serious wood for all those Browns picks and I want some of them. My primary concern and interest in those picks, however, is not this year, but next. The 2018 QB class looks like it is head and shoulders above 2017, so what is the best way to adjust our high pick this year into a high pick next year? Move back this year and add ammunition to move up next year. The Browns have three 2nd round picks in 2018, not to mention two second rounders this year to go along with the 12th overall. There is enough flexibility in their volume of picks to allow us to potential hit the sweet spot in some of the depth positions this year while at the same time, adding assets to be able to move up next year (if necessary). Who knows, maybe we'll have the first overall next year and wont need it, but if we get lucky in 2017 with some meaningless games and wind up in the middle of the draft, we could miss out on a real, honest to God QB. Some are speculating 2018 may be the year of the QB, so lets position ourselves to take advantage.
"The 2018 QB class looks like it is head and shoulders above 2017, so what is the best way to adjust our high pick this year into a high pick next year?"
Be very carefull w/that theory, that's what has been said just about every year. This year was supposed to be better then last year specifically, and now it's not. There is just no way of knowing how the draft class will unfold until the college season starts.
This class is just fine. At no.3 we have a chance of picking one. But, I have a feeling its gona be Solomon for us. Which is ok too if we get QB in the 2nd, not later than that!
Just sharing my thoughts fellas. I'm well aware of the old adage regarding the next class being better (grass is always greener analogy). I've been around and watching this stuff for awhile also. However, I distinctly remember LAST year prior to the draft when there was speculation about us moving up or that talk about trading Cutler to the Titans for a chance to draft Mariota; one of the reasons so many were interested in that was the poor projections of the 2017 QB class. Does anyone else remember that? Hell, there were MANY that projected the 2017 QB class to be not only weak, but thin for 2017 before the draft in 2016 was even held. So we can all say that "...be careful about next year" and it's true to an extent, but if NFL teams aren't already scouting for 2018 then they aren't doing their job and you know they are.
One thing that I have observed over the years that I think IS a constant, almost without exception, is any given QB class, regardless of strength or quality is almost always hyped up to meet demand for that given year because they will go high just because of the position they play. I like a couple of these QB's, Watson in particular, but I still question whether ANY of them are of the quality necessary to typically warrant a top 10 pick, and some I'm not sure are worthy of even a 1st round pick in an average year.
Thus, I stand by my desire to try to "use" the Browns if possible to try and get better THIS year, but also position ourselves for a move up NEXT year if necessary.
Guys, we need to merge all of these FA and draft threads into on huge thread. Thread title should be "Bears are still AT LEAST 4 years away from competing for a playoff spot".