The Redskins' Future: Now AND Later - Part Two

When now and later are the same

Trade All Draft Picks! Sign All Free Agents! Japanese monster movies from the 50s? Nope, Redskins recent player strategies. Curly R continues its series on the changing draft philosophies of the Washington Redskins.

Part One: Draft Picks Are Free But Not Without Cost
Part Two: The Y Axis
Part Three: Round Two
Part Four: Round Three
Part Five: Round Four
Part Six: Round Six
Part Seven: Round Seven and Wrap Up

=====

In the space we have already discussed the x axis of the Draft Pick Grid, best player available versus pick for team needs. This Redskins draft, by which I continue to be more impressed given that it is July and not September, is a good example highlighting the y axis of the Draft Pick Grid, pick for now versus pick for the future.

Economics tend to dictate that players picked earlier in the draft need to contribute faster, they are paid more and every down a pricey youngster does not play is the opportunity cost of not having a player in the game.

Look at Aaron Rodgers, the Packers' would be quarterback in the absence of Brett Favre. Aaron was a 2005 first round draft pick out of Cal-Berkeley and whereas Brett Favre continued to be Brett Favre for longer than the Packers organization expected and the team continued to enjoy success to the end, the fact remains that all those dollars going into Aaron's contract were not being realized on the field. Yes Aaron has learned the system and been mentored by one of the game's greats if a guy whose whole career has been go out there and sling the hell out of it can be an effective mentor. Three full seasons into his first pro contract and Aaron has thrown a whopping 59 passes.

Curly R aside: I love Brett Favre as much as the next guy and I love the drama around whether he is going to unretire for next season and if so where he would play. I'd love to see me one more season of Brett Favre.

Conversely, less expensive players deeper in the draft are cheaper and therefore come with less of an opportunity cost for each play on the sideline. A team can pick a project player, a quote smart unquote player who may be physically challenged in the NFL or the intimidating specimen that needs some refinement.

And the draft pick value opportunity cost is lower, if a player does not look like he is on the way to productivity, the team can use another low pick the next season. Because that current player is not core to the team's success at that time, he is easier to replace inexpensively.

Viewed through this lens, and issues of positional logjams aside, the Redskins had a great draft this year.


The Redskins' Future: Now AND Later continues tomorrow with part three, Round Two.



Refuel Cafe & Bar sign from here.