Trade Partner Found For Pick 1?
By Brian Miller
According to the ESPN draft gure Mel Kiper…Miami has a trade partner if they want one. Kiper is saying that the Atlanta Falcons are desperately “In Love” with the Boston College QB, so much so that they want to trade with the Miami Dolphins to get him.
So for a second, let us assume that this is true. What would the initial trade value be? ( I don’t ever use the value chart and will not here either). Obviously a swap of 1st rounders where Atlanta will find out tomorrow if they are pick 3, 4, or 5. If it is the 3rd, I think that Miami should get their 2nd rounder and pick next year as well outside of round 1. If it is the 4th, I think that a comparable late day draft pick could be thrown in, and if it is the 5th, maybe demand a 2nd this year, a 4th or 5th next year, and throw in DeAngelo Hall.
If I were Miami, and I have heard they are exploring this option, I would trade the pick as soon as possible. If Atlanta wants the pick, give it to them now so they can start working on a contract for him, and so I can start working on trading their 1st rounder for more picks. Sitting on this in hopes of driving up the price will do nothing but put you in a position for them to change their minds. Take it now, take it quick, and move on.
The Dolphins are in a position they do not want to be in. Paying number 1 money to a guy that in many other drafts would not be number 1 overall…and that includes Matt Ryan. Ryan has the intangibles to be a very good QB, but Miami has invested a 1st day pick already in a QB that never really had the system to succeed in. Let Atlanta take that risk, let them have the pick.
Now is not the time and this draft is not the year, to try and get premium return on that top pick.
In addition, a move down to 3 to 5 will allow the Dolphins to still get one of their intended targets or even another trade. If Atlanta moves down to 1, Chris Long, Jake Long, Dorsey, Ellis, Gholston…at least two of them are sitting at 3, 4, or 5. Win win situation for the Dolphins without the 30 million in guaranteed dough.
The draft is starting to get a little more interesting. Solid numbers at the combine will only increase the value of the pick…maybe to the point that Miami actually can move it.