Should The Draft Come Before FA?

[Montsta]

No, this isn't another team building philosophy thread on if drafting is better than spending big in free agency.

This thread is a question of should the actual NFL draft come prior to the free agency period?

Do you think it would allow teams to more accurately build their rosters the way they'd like to? Take the Panthers, for instance. We all know Dave Gettleman likes to build through the draft first and foremost, and that isn't even a topic for discussion. But let's be honest, if the first few waves of free agents come and go prior to the draft and if the players we want in certain positions aren't available when we pick, then it's not out of the realm of possibility that there could be some regret afterward that the 2 year, $4MM free agent wasn't picked up when we had the chance to fill a need.

Something else to think about. Would NFL vets make more money or less money this way? I could see an argument for both sides, but I think the draft adds a certain cushion for teams to not spend money in FA because the draft is this mythical pool of talent where you'll get that one piece to the puzzle you need. If the draft came first, would Free Agents that are plugging the holes on rosters be more in demand?

It's mid-March and my bracket is busted, and I can't talk Warriors basketball with you guys without y'all trying to poach Steph Curry, so I have no sports talk fix. What say you Huddle?

[Mr. Scot]

I've pondered that idea before and could see some genuine benefit to it.

 

I sincerely doubt the NFLPA would ever let that happen, though.

[Montsta]

I've pondered that idea before and could see some genuine benefit to it.

I sincerely doubt the NFLPA would ever let that happen, though.

I considered the NFLPA when I was writing. I wonder if a case could be made to them that more of their players will see contracts after the draft.

Take the veteran WR that are getting no love right now.

People aren't signing Crabtree because they saw what the rookie pool of WR did last year and are probably waiting to see what they get in the draft first.

If the draft happens and doesn't go the way some team's had planned that wanted a WR, I'd think Crabtree's phone would be ringing a lot sooner than it did to start the FA period this year.

[Mr. Scot]

I considered the NFLPA when I was writing. I wonder if a case could be made to them that more of their players will see contracts after the draft.

Take the veteran WR that are getting no love right now.

People aren't signing Crabtree because they saw what the rookie pool of WR did last year and are probably waiting to see what they get in the draft first.

If the draft happens and doesn't go the way some team's had planned that wanted a WR, I'd think Crabtree's phone would be ringing a lot sooner than it did to start the FA period this year.

 

You could make the case, but I doubt they'd be swayed.

 

I believe having players already drafted means overall less chance of players getting the kind of mega-deals they are now.

 

Me though?  I like the idea.

 

[KillerKat]

Yes

[Mr. Scot]

Yes

 

I'm not sure I understand your answer

 

[jdpanther5]

You can look at it two ways.

The current system allows teams to set up their draft by addressing needs in free agency, thus promoting a lot of "BPA" drafting.

Your proposal would allow teams to use the draft to fill needs cheaply and then going "BPA" via free agency.

Honestly, I think I'd leave is as is. There are draft picks that don't even end up making the team, so relying on them to fill needs seems risky. Of course, FAs bust too, but at least you're more likely to know what you're getting.

Oddly enough, I've advocated that the NBA adopt the NFL order (FA then draft) as they currently have it reversed. Of course individual players make more of an impact in basketball, so it makes much more sense for them whereas with the NFL I can at least see the argument.

[CarolinaNCSU]

It would be interesting, but I think it would drive down vets prices, which the NFLPA would never allow.

 

 

 

 

 

[Fox007]

I think it'd be worth a try to swap them and see how it goes for a year or two...sort of test it out...I can see it both ways as well.

[SmokinwithWilly]

I actually like it the way it is. I can't imagine being scouts and having 2-3 months less time to evaluate all the guys coming out of college. it allows for a better review of ability and fit.

[CatMan72]

I think it would definitely make it easier to build a team each year.

[cardiackat88.]

When free agency starts, there is nothing saying all the teams HAVE to go out and spend on them before the draft, right?

In theory, all 32 teams could wait to sign and free agents until after the draft.

[Jesse]

For veterans it would have its positives and negatives. I think it'd be cool if they did it for a couple years to test how it went. Like others said, the NFLPA would never let it happen though.

[jtm]

You can still sign guys after the draft and many teams do, so not sure I see the advantage to drafting first.