Why do NFL teams value draft picks over Restricted Free Agents or Proven Players

I just don't get why they hold draft picks like they are gold. Look at the RFA list there are tons of proven NFL players who would start for most teams why not take a guy you know how they would perform in the NFL against NFL talent. I guess I always thought a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

its simple, draft picks are cheap. RFA's are not. You generally have to overpay a RFA because you dont want their current team to match your offer so u have to make sure its bloated AND you then have to give up draft pick(s). so not only do you miss out on having some young cheap players, u essentially overpay for another. U do this enough and your entire roster will be bloated and you'll be fighting the cap.

For RFA you have to give up not only picks, but you have to over pay a player in order for the team they are on not to match the offer sheet. It's not good value when you can draft a player and pay a lot less.

Teams don't necessarily value picks more than proven players. Again, it is usually an issue of money that a proven player would want after you trade for him. Further, you never know how a proven player will adapt to a new team and system... they might all together flop in a new environment. So, there is also some risk.

Picks are cheaper and you get them for more years, that is why good teams have good scouting departments because it allows them to draft a lot of good players that don't eat up a ton of salary cap room.

Well in addition to the money side that has been mentioned. You also have to look at the ceiling/potential of a player side of it.

In the RFA case. Yes you know what a player can do and how good he is. You also know what he can't do and how bad he is in other areas. In most cases they are tendered to the level of play they actually have played at. So you have to ask yourself if his positives can be found in a player found in the round in which you have to give up. In most cases the answer is yes. With a possibility of some upside.


As far as trading for proven players. Same thing applies. However, in most cases players are traded for far less than there value ( talent level compared to draft pick given up). So I am with you on the trading for proven players part if a good deal is there.

Braylon Edwards deal
The Boldin deal
Kerry Rhodes deal

all would have been good deals when you compare talent to talent you'd get with same picks.

Originally posted by Sinsation:
its simple, draft picks are cheap. RFA's are not. You generally have to overpay a RFA because you dont want their current team to match your offer so u have to make sure its bloated AND you then have to give up draft pick(s). so not only do you miss out on having some young cheap players, u essentially overpay for another. U do this enough and your entire roster will be bloated and you'll be fighting the cap.

What cap? It is non existent. And your telling me that Brandon Marshall is worse than the best WR prospect in the draft who will get big money. At least with a RFA you will be paying for a guy who will actually be on the field unlike the guys like Rashuan Woods, Matt leinart I could go on if you like.

If you are in a position of power and have multiple draft picks, it makes sense to pull a trigger on a RFA.

If you are rebuilding and need a core set of players - like the 49ers in 2005 or the Lions in 2009 - then you are missing multiple key players and 1 RFA isn't going to do much (depending on what's available of course).

The main thing I would state about inactivity of RFA this year is that the 2010 draft is a widely deep draft. You could get immediate contributors between rounds 1-4 this year.

With highly valued RFAs going for 1st and 3rd, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders, it just doesn't serve teams justice to pull the trigger.

are you from long beach lb49ers?

Why do guys enjoy virgins over whores? So they can train them their way...

Same reason!

Originally posted by Dominate:
Why do guys enjoy virgins over whores? So they can train them their way...

Same reason!

haha...that's great!

Originally posted by Dominate:
Why do guys enjoy virgins over whores? So they can train them their way...

Same reason!

Because they're insecure about their sexual performance? Wait what?

I guess they believe the guys they will draft in those rounds will be just as good and have the potential to be better.

Originally posted by LB49ers:

Originally posted by Sinsation:
its simple, draft picks are cheap. RFA's are not. You generally have to overpay a RFA because you dont want their current team to match your offer so u have to make sure its bloated AND you then have to give up draft pick(s). so not only do you miss out on having some young cheap players, u essentially overpay for another. U do this enough and your entire roster will be bloated and you'll be fighting the cap.

What cap? It is non existent. And your telling me that Brandon Marshall is worse than the best WR prospect in the draft who will get big money. At least with a RFA you will be paying for a guy who will actually be on the field unlike the guys like Rashuan Woods, Matt leinart I could go on if you like.

And if they negotiate a new CBA with a cap for next season, then what?
don't be so short sighted.

Originally posted by NinerFan408:

Originally posted by LB49ers:

Originally posted by Sinsation:
its simple, draft picks are cheap. RFA's are not. You generally have to overpay a RFA because you dont want their current team to match your offer so u have to make sure its bloated AND you then have to give up draft pick(s). so not only do you miss out on having some young cheap players, u essentially overpay for another. U do this enough and your entire roster will be bloated and you'll be fighting the cap.

What cap? It is non existent. And your telling me that Brandon Marshall is worse than the best WR prospect in the draft who will get big money. At least with a RFA you will be paying for a guy who will actually be on the field unlike the guys like Rashuan Woods, Matt leinart I could go on if you like.

And if they negotiate a new CBA with a cap for next season, then what?
don't be so short sighted.

If they do I can assure you that everyone will be under the cap. Do you really think the owners would paint themselves in a corner and put themselves over the cap.

Originally posted by Dominate:
Why do guys enjoy virgins over whores? So they can train them their way...

Same reason!

so true

Originally posted by LB49ers:

Originally posted by Sinsation:
its simple, draft picks are cheap. RFA's are not. You generally have to overpay a RFA because you dont want their current team to match your offer so u have to make sure its bloated AND you then have to give up draft pick(s). so not only do you miss out on having some young cheap players, u essentially overpay for another. U do this enough and your entire roster will be bloated and you'll be fighting the cap.

What cap? It is non existent. And your telling me that Brandon Marshall is worse than the best WR prospect in the draft who will get big money. At least with a RFA you will be paying for a guy who will actually be on the field unlike the guys like Rashuan Woods, Matt leinart I could go on if you like.

there might not be a cap next yr, but there will be a cap again. And yes what i'm saying is I'd rather have my 1st rounder, than to overpay Brandon Marshall or some other RFA. It'd be an entirely different story if he was just a free agent. but to overpay AND trade your draft picks, is just crazy.