Draft Strategy - "Lost Season" version

College football and the NFL Draft

Moderator: wab

Post Reply
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

I'm un-burying this from another conversation.

I'm wondering if there should be more consideration in terms of draft strategy that suggests GMs look at this class and next year's class a little differently than usual. There is a strong chance there won't be a season for EITHER pro or college. There very well may not be any further information gained between now and the '21 draft.

So hypothetically what, really, is the problem with trading next year's draft capital for a player you really like this year? Granted, there are players that will be entering the draft that could be more desirable than some this year. But the potential time gap gives teams 2 drafts worth of capital to fill key holes, and doesn't have to go through a season without having a good amount of fresh rookie blood.

And then for next year's draft... is it really "fair" to keep the draft order the same as this year, if there isn't a season? Or could they potentially pick names out of a hat like the NBA, and have it be less certain?

It seems like almost everyone is approaching this as "normal". But things may have changed dramatically and we just don't know for sure yet. I'm sure some GMs are gaming it out. I'm guessing not many would base their draft on it. But I think if I was Pace I'd strongly consider using next year's picks if there was a key guy he covets this year.
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
User avatar
Mikefive
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5189
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:33 pm
Location: Valparaiso, IN, USA
Has thanked: 340 times
Been thanked: 278 times

I wildly disagree with your premise that there's a "strong chance" there won't be a season for pro or college. The shutdowns for zillions of C19 resistant people are absolutely financially devastating and by extension, the economy as a whole. There's no way everything will be on hold in September anything like the way it is now. While there are a very small percentage of exceptions, C19 is primarily a problem for the elderly or those already compromised. That nearly doesn't apply to college students or NFL players and those who do can stay away. This issue is going to evolve into a "stay home if you think you must" voluntary situation, so that things are as close to normal as possible by election time.

Just my take. Continue with your regularly scheduled football discussion. :-)
Mikefive's theory: The only time you KNOW that a sports team player, coach or management member is being 100% honest is when they're NOT reciting "the company line".

Go back to leather helmets, NFL.
MACKSMACK
Practice Squad
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2018 1:32 am
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 5 times

I brought this up in a thread recently. If the stay-at-home continues into summer and fall, and the college seasons are affected, what happens with the draft next year? Are players being evaluated on this years #'s in NCAA. Considering we don't have a 1st and not much after the two 2nd's...I'd trade a 1st and maybe a 5th next year to get into the late part of tonight's 1st round, or something like that. Get good players in the building now, while there's recent stats and film to evaluate. I guess I'm just longing for a 1st rounder, lol
NYer that fell in love with Sweetness destroying defenders with that legendary stiff arm @ 8 yrs old. I'll never forget those early days and now, after many many years we have some integral players that'll be the key to success in the very near future.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

Mikefive wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 1:27 pm I wildly disagree with your premise that there's a "strong chance" there won't be a season for pro or college. The shutdowns for zillions of C19 resistant people are absolutely financially devastating and by extension, the economy as a whole. There's no way everything will be on hold in September anything like the way it is now. While there are a very small percentage of exceptions, C19 is primarily a problem for the elderly or those already compromised. That nearly doesn't apply to college students or NFL players and those who do can stay away. This issue is going to evolve into a "stay home if you think you must" voluntary situation, so that things are as close to normal as possible by election time.

Just my take. Continue with your regularly scheduled football discussion. :-)
I think youre a bit off at large as to the ultimate covid response, but there will be a lot of motivation from networks to make the NFL and the major conference seasons go on in a tightly controlled environment. But for smaller conferences, it's could be tough to financially put on game day productions with what will be considered all the proper safety measures.

So not sure what that means as far as scouting small conference guys next year, but I think there's some risk in those seasons.
User avatar
Yogi da Bear
Head Coach
Posts: 2499
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:43 pm
Has thanked: 209 times
Been thanked: 359 times

I think there's almost no risk that football will be cancelled this year. Just don't see it happening. But then, I think that Covid has been blown all out of proportion anyway. I don't see it as much more than a really bad flu.
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

OK well this wasn't a conversation about that. And like UOK posted, it is a conversation likely full of contradicting opinions and potential argument that is not about football. So I don't really care about anyone's POV on that. It doesn't matter what you or I think. What happens will happen regardless.

It's too bad people focused on that, instead of the ACTUAL point - which was just an attempt to have discussion about strategies IF something happened. But OK... have a good draft.

:backout:
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
User avatar
Yogi da Bear
Head Coach
Posts: 2499
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:43 pm
Has thanked: 209 times
Been thanked: 359 times

Not a political view. In fact, I've turned off all news during this "Quarantine." It's a personal view. And if we're still in quarantine come September, I'm personally going to strangle my whole household. lol
User avatar
Moriarty
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6806
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:22 pm
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 688 times

Sure, you might be willing to deal 2021 picks cavalierly, with the suspicion that they will be less valuable - but that only works well if others aren't thinking that way. If they're sitting around thinking "I'm not giving up jack for a 2021 - that's going to be an all-time awful draft class", then dealing them isn't going to do good things for you.
You have to guess right AND find a trading partner who's wrong in the "right direction" for it to pay off for you.
1999-2002: Mouth Off Sports Forum (RIP)
2002-2014: KFFL (RIP)
2014-2016: USAToday Fantasy Sports Forum (RIP)

Hello, my name is Moriarty. I have come to kill your website, prepare to die.
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

There are some serious supplemental draft considerations at play too.

Also, let’s make sure we be adults in this thread.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

wab wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 7:49 pm There are some serious supplemental draft considerations at play too.

Also, let’s make sure we be adults in this thread.
Why would supplemental be more prominent? That's mainly in regards to eligibility issues. Do you think if seasons are cancelled it could cause college eligibility disputes?
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

Moriarty wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 7:17 pm Sure, you might be willing to deal 2021 picks cavalierly, with the suspicion that they will be less valuable - but that only works well if others aren't thinking that way. If they're sitting around thinking "I'm not giving up jack for a 2021 - that's going to be an all-time awful draft class", then dealing them isn't going to do good things for you.
You have to guess right AND find a trading partner who's wrong in the "right direction" for it to pay off for you.
Yeah - you're right. My thinking (which I believe is supported by some evidence here) is that many are indeed not thinking that way. So it could be a time to take advantage of people in denial. Like finding people to sell stock to at a high price entering a recession. They're plentiful and they're out there.

So first round is done, and maybe Pace wouldn't want to make bets with his only $500 chip. But maybe when he gets down a bit even to his $100 and $25 chips he can find some really bad, unobservant gamblers.
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

IE wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:39 am
Moriarty wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 7:17 pm Sure, you might be willing to deal 2021 picks cavalierly, with the suspicion that they will be less valuable - but that only works well if others aren't thinking that way. If they're sitting around thinking "I'm not giving up jack for a 2021 - that's going to be an all-time awful draft class", then dealing them isn't going to do good things for you.
You have to guess right AND find a trading partner who's wrong in the "right direction" for it to pay off for you.
Yeah - you're right. My thinking (which I believe is supported by some evidence here) is that many are indeed not thinking that way. So it could be a time to take advantage of people in denial. Like finding people to sell stock to at a high price entering a recession. They're plentiful and they're out there.

So first round is done, and maybe Pace wouldn't want to make bets with his only $500 chip. But maybe when he gets down a bit even to his $100 and $25 chips he can find some really bad, unobservant gamblers.
So what do you think the arbitrage may be? The general rule if thumb is a pick next year losing one round in value. Do you give up 1.5 rounds or 2 rounds in value instead?
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

If you see your posts missing, you know why. If you find yourself unable to logon next time...you'll also know why.
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

The Cooler King wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 11:11 pm
wab wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 7:49 pm There are some serious supplemental draft considerations at play too.

Also, let’s make sure we be adults in this thread.
Why would supplemental be more prominent? That's mainly in regards to eligibility issues. Do you think if seasons are cancelled it could cause college eligibility disputes?
It's possible. For example... if there's no season (hypothetically), what would prevent a player who is three years removed from high school and is entering his final year of eligibility from actively trying to become academically ineligible in order to participate in the supplemental draft? Or what if a player signs with an agent anytime between now and late June, making himself ineligible?

I know it's unlikely, and the NFL wouldn't be required to accept that player's application to the supplemental draft. But...these are weird times and the NFL - being the business it is - could feel pressured to relax the requirements.
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

The Cooler King wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 9:31 am
IE wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:39 am

Yeah - you're right. My thinking (which I believe is supported by some evidence here) is that many are indeed not thinking that way. So it could be a time to take advantage of people in denial. Like finding people to sell stock to at a high price entering a recession. They're plentiful and they're out there.

So first round is done, and maybe Pace wouldn't want to make bets with his only $500 chip. But maybe when he gets down a bit even to his $100 and $25 chips he can find some really bad, unobservant gamblers.
So what do you think the arbitrage may be? The general rule if thumb is a pick next year losing one round in value. Do you give up 1.5 rounds or 2 rounds in value instead?
Good question. There has to be some kind of a hedge or "bird in the hand" calculus they could do, if they consider they might get very little further information about players in the draft next year. It is a a ratio, as you mention.

For example the Bears don't have a 3rd or 4th rounder but let's say some TE has slipped surprisingly and sitting there. I personally don't think the in-person interviews matter as much as the games played and measurables. Why not trade next year's 3rd and 4th and 7th (just an example - I know the exact value chart) to get the guy you really like? Maybe it is 1.5X the value chart in normal times, and the other team with a different mindset thinks they're raping you. But their information is no better than yours, and there is indeed no certainty. IF you assume next year you have no better information, do you want to draft next year's senior with no tape, or get the guy you know?
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
RichH55
Hall of Famer
Posts: 7942
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 4:23 pm
Has thanked: 511 times
Been thanked: 598 times

Worst worst case - Football cancelled in 2020 - you trade pick for next year - they roll over a draft class and have two years of talent in one class

(I put odds of this pretty near zero though)
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

IE wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:05 am
The Cooler King wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 9:31 am
So what do you think the arbitrage may be? The general rule if thumb is a pick next year losing one round in value. Do you give up 1.5 rounds or 2 rounds in value instead?
Good question. There has to be some kind of a hedge or "bird in the hand" calculus they could do, if they consider they might get very little further information about players in the draft next year. It is a a ratio, as you mention.

For example the Bears don't have a 3rd or 4th rounder but let's say some TE has slipped surprisingly and sitting there. I personally don't think the in-person interviews matter as much as the games played and measurables. Why not trade next year's 3rd and 4th and 7th (just an example - I know the exact value chart) to get the guy you really like? Maybe it is 1.5X the value chart in normal times, and the other team with a different mindset thinks they're raping you. But their information is no better than yours, and there is indeed no certainty. IF you assume next year you have no better information, do you want to draft next year's senior with no tape, or get the guy you know?
Interestingly in the two cases where Pace traded future year picks, he didn't really pay a "time value" premium, so that rule of discounting didn't really apply;

Per the traditional chart
In the Miller trade the "deficit" was 306 pts which is about pick 59, a late 2nd. He traded a future second
In the Montgomery trade the "deficit" was 52.8 pts., roughly pick 141, a mid 4th. He traded a future fourth

In the one trade where he received a future pick, he seemed to get that 1 round premium. In 2016 when he traded 41 for 49 an received No 117 in return, they were still short 20 points, which is a late 5th. He got a future 4th in return.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

PHI at 103 or BAL at 106 seem like decent targets for a future trade up. If they trade pick 196 or 200 they're at about a high 4th round deficit. So it would probably take you next year's third at least, but maybe that's the premium you're willing to pay anyways because of uncertainty next year. Those are pretty smart FO's though, they may be factoring in the same uncertainty.

The other thing is you're always targeting a specific guy when you trade up. Who might Pace be targeting in these scenarios is the real question that has to be answered first. A falling Hurts/Fromm? A DB or IOL (if he goes BPA at 43 and 50 and doesn't fill those needs). A WR with Rd 2 talent who's falling because how deep this draft is there?
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

Well good call IE. A 4th next year for a 5th.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

Bumping. MAC cancels fall football. Will try for spring. But this will clealry have an impact on draft process.

No power 5 players typically make up between 20-25% of drafted players. Won't be surprised if many other now power 5 eventually follow suit.
User avatar
Moriarty
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6806
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:22 pm
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 688 times

I think if there's little or no 2020 college football, you've got to look at canceling the draft, too.

Who wants to draft players with only 1/2 - 2/3 the usual amount of experience, plus a whole year off? It would be the worst draft class ever.
And all those players are still going to have 1 (or more) years of eligibility left.
1999-2002: Mouth Off Sports Forum (RIP)
2002-2014: KFFL (RIP)
2014-2016: USAToday Fantasy Sports Forum (RIP)

Hello, my name is Moriarty. I have come to kill your website, prepare to die.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

Moriarty wrote: Sat Aug 08, 2020 5:16 pm I think if there's little or no 2020 college football, you've got to look at canceling the draft, too.

Who wants to draft players with only 1/2 - 2/3 the usual amount of experience, plus a whole year off? It would be the worst draft class ever.
And all those players are still going to have 1 (or more) years of eligibility left.
Fall football is looking just about dead (PAC 12 and Big 10 apparently announcing tomorrow). But we'll probably get some sort of spring ball. So perhaps some draft still, but pushed back to May/June and maybe not 7 rounds (baseball for instance did 5 of a normal 40 rounds). Of course they didn't have to figure out how to deal with the issue of traded picks.

Wonder if the new XFL owners will look to make sure they can line up a spring season and focus on senior collegiate guys who aren't looking to stick around for another amatuer year even if they get eligibility extensions.
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

I think there will still be a draft, and there are quite a few "known commodities" where NFL teams can have enough certainty to use high picks on them. But after the top couple of rounds, it will then become far more of a crapshoot... players with thin resumes who could boom or bust. Talent assessment becomes even more important.

I'd like to see the league expand the '21 draft to maybe 10 rounds and expand rosters next year to give more players more playing time (kind of to "catch up").

There is still the potential that the NFL ends up not playing as well - or not playing much of a season. There's a distinct possibility the virus really takes off in the fall, and spread (and sickness) gets worse like it does every fall/winter. IF that happened, we'd literally see two draft classes on top of each other, competing. But that might be interesting!
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

IE wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:29 am I think there will still be a draft, and there are quite a few "known commodities" where NFL teams can have enough certainty to use high picks on them. But after the top couple of rounds, it will then become far more of a crapshoot... players with thin resumes who could boom or bust. Talent assessment becomes even more important.

I'd like to see the league expand the '21 draft to maybe 10 rounds and expand rosters next year to give more players more playing time (kind of to "catch up").

There is still the potential that the NFL ends up not playing as well - or not playing much of a season. There's a distinct possibility the virus really takes off in the fall, and spread (and sickness) gets worse like it does every fall/winter. IF that happened, we'd literally see two draft classes on top of each other, competing. But that might be interesting!
I don't know. Mock drafts from 12+ months out tend to end up with a lot of big misses (at least as it relates to how the actual draft plays out)

I think theres still a draft, and there is probably a college spring season, but I think the eval process will still be s little chaotic, and likely rushed. Keep in mind, it's still less than 50% or draftees being underclassmen, so that extra year of tape must be consequential in draft decision making.
RichH55
Hall of Famer
Posts: 7942
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 4:23 pm
Has thanked: 511 times
Been thanked: 598 times

The Cooler King wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 10:47 am
Moriarty wrote: Sat Aug 08, 2020 5:16 pm I think if there's little or no 2020 college football, you've got to look at canceling the draft, too.

Who wants to draft players with only 1/2 - 2/3 the usual amount of experience, plus a whole year off? It would be the worst draft class ever.
And all those players are still going to have 1 (or more) years of eligibility left.
Fall football is looking just about dead (PAC 12 and Big 10 apparently announcing tomorrow). But we'll probably get some sort of spring ball. So perhaps some draft still, but pushed back to May/June and maybe not 7 rounds (baseball for instance did 5 of a normal 40 rounds). Of course they didn't have to figure out how to deal with the issue of traded picks.

Wonder if the new XFL owners will look to make sure they can line up a spring season and focus on senior collegiate guys who aren't looking to stick around for another amatuer year even if they get eligibility extensions.

Baseball shortened the draft ONLY for money reasons (Super shortsighted IMHO)

Move the draft back - no Senior Bowl? My guess it still that it happens - without much doubt

The NFL doesn't just start scouting these kids when the season ends - Trevor Lawrence is the goods
Post Reply