As we enter April, it is officially ‘Draft Month’, and to celebrate I will be focusing on the Panthers’ recent draft history, the pros and cons of trading up and down, and suggesting a former BYU player for the Panthers’ roster. Today, I will share my trade down strategy. Before that, I urge you to read the TDI Constitution to understand my ‘trade down’ philosophy. My belief is that the NFL draft is uncertain, and more picks increase the chance of success. If a potential Pro Bowler is available in Rounds 1-2, take them; otherwise, trade down for more picks. With that in mind, here’s my trade down plan for the upcoming draft. At Pick No. 33, focus on drafting the best offensive player available, while at Pick No. 39, trade down to No. 44 and gain an extra pick. Similarly, at Pick No. 65, trade down to No. 68, picking up two additional selections. Finally, at Pick No. 101, trade back for No. 115, acquiring an extra pick. This strategy aims to maximize draft picks and potential success for the Panthers. The contracts of the new draft picks are also provided, illustrating the cost-effectiveness of this approach compared to the NFL’s salary cap.
Traded down
From No. 39 to No. 44 (five spots)
From No. 65 to No. 68 (three spots)
From No. 101 to No. 115 (14 spots)
New draft picks acquired
No. 115 (fourth round, 4-years, $4.8 million, $772k sign-on bonus)
No. 170 (fifth round, 4-years, $4.3 million, $248k sign-on bonus)
No. 195 (sixth round, 4-years, $4.2 million, $178k sign-on bonus)
No. 235 (seventh round, 4-years, $4.1 million, $102k sign-on bonus)
The signing bonuses for these four picks come to a pitiful $1.3 million (spread over four years for cap purposes), and their yearly salaries average little more than $1 million, which is a rounding error in the modern NFL.
Moving down a few positions early in the selection is a risk that is definitely worth taking in order to potentially benefit from these four additional picks. The Panthers are in dire need of additional young, inexpensive talent, and this trade down approach is essentially a risk-free means of obtaining it.
Please send this manifesto to Dan Morgan if you know how to get in touch with him.
He knows where to locate me if he wants to give me a call to talk more about this clever move. I’m going to unwind in a beach chair, listening to the crashing waves, soaking up the sun, and sipping on a tropical drink from my Trade Down Island paradise.
“Captain” (Dan) Morgan doing business with the Benevolent Dictator of Trade Down Island?
Sounds like a match made in tropical heaven.
