Should The Draft Come Before FA?

[Montsta]

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

I realize that of course. My point was more of the big first wave of free agency that comes. Does Suh get a huge contract with Miami after the draft if they were able to draft a stud DT? Does Maclin get a huge contract if the Chiefs are able to draft Cooper or White? On the flip side maybe Maclin gets an even bigger contract because some teams that had a little interest in him didn't get to draft a guy they like so now they really gotta go after Maclin aggressively.

Waiting on the draft is like a game show saying do you want this known prize or the one behind door number two? You don't know if you made a mistake until afterward. The current way is just fine, but for the sake of conversation in March, it'd be interesting to be able to draft first and then really know with a firm vision exactly what you need to fill your roster.

[Jimmy]

6 in one hand half a dozen in the other. The $$ doesn't change. If you draft BPA and then go for need in FA you will probably get screwed by teams with more $$.

[jtm]

I realize that of course. My point was more of the big first wave of free agency that comes. Does Suh get a huge contract with Miami after the draft if they were able to draft a stud DT? Does Maclin get a huge contract if the Chiefs are able to draft Cooper or White? On the flip side maybe Maclin gets an even bigger contract because some teams that had a little interest in him didn't get to draft a guy they like so now they really gotta go after Maclin aggressively.

Waiting on the draft is like a game show saying do you want this known prize or the one behind door number two? You don't know if you made a mistake until afterward. The current way is just fine, but for the sake of conversation in March, it'd be interesting to be able to draft first and then really know with a firm vision exactly what you need to fill your roster.

I don't think it would change much - the same teams will over pay in free agency.

[Cyberjag]

Nope.  If you have the draft first, then you'll end up with people who couldn't get the CB they wanted overpaying for free agents, and there would be a lot of people out there asking if Free Agency should come before the draft.

 

[Mr. Scot]

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.

Very salient point.

[SOJA]

should it? that's certainly debatable 

 

 

would the nfl ever allow it? hell no. they love having us wait on the draft 

[t96]

It's better the way it is, in my opinion.

[Mr. Scot]

I think they're gonna keep it in May if they can, and maybe even later than this year.

[mountainpantherfan2]

If I'm not mistaken the 2011 offseason had the draft first then FA started later after the lockout ended. So I would think looking at the 2011 offseason would be a good place to start when discussing this topic.