dave mcbride

I completely disagree. I think teams need guys like him to run the offense effectively not just in games he has to play in because of injury, but in practice. He may also be the sort of player who can teach the offense, which he knows, to other qbs. His physical talent level, by the way, is about the same as Peterman's. If Cardale Jones is our backup, then we are in a lot of trouble. Like I said, you need a backup qb who can get you to 2-2 over a 4-game stretch and who actually knows how to run the offense. I think Jones and Petrman are potentially 0-4 guys at this point. Bear in mind that I have NO faith in Jones.

I know a lot of people here take great pleasure in bashing the local media, but here is a good and very informative overview by Jay Skurski of what has happened when teams have declined to pick up options: http://buffalonews.com/2017/05/03/analysis-history-suggests-sammy-watkins-time-bills-short/ .

He was a good player for Marrone.

They are very comparable; see my post above. The Saints haven't had a starter they've drafted (beyond a fill-in game for a backup) since 1986 (Dave Wilson). That's 31 years! http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/193705-gm-doug-whaley-has-been-fired/?p=4365353 . Also if you take out the two years Dave Wilson started for them, you have to go back to Archie Manning to find a starting QB that they drafted. They had a late Kenny Stabler era, after all.

Good info - makes a ton of sense. Thanks.

See above re the Saints too.

They also traded a first for Trent Green, who was very good for them. See above. I'd argue that Taylor hasn't been better, and that Smith has been above average for a long time. But I'm a fan of Taylor and am also a fan of getting a qb any old way you can. Interestingly, for all of the talk about the Chiefs, the Saints haven't had a starting qb that they drafted since 1986, when Dave Wilson (drafted in 1981; only started in 1985 and 1986) was their starter. Brees, Brooks, Blake, Hebert, Walsh, Everett, Tolliver: none were drafted by the Saints.

As I say above, they have spent a number of high draft picks on QBs. They just happen to be proven NFL players (Smith, Trent Green) rather than college QBs.

Yes, but they lose a year of control. Instead of being able to franchise him two seasons from now, they have to do it next year. I strongly believe that they will not franchise twice in a row given the big cost increase from year one to year two under the franchise and the probability that they'll lose him afterward. They could franchise him three years in a row, but that's not likely: it entails a 44 percent salary increase over the already very steep year 2 franchise cost. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/28/10-things-to-know-about-the-franchise-tag/

Taylor was above nicely average in 2015 (115) and definitively average (100) last year. Again, Smith has been above average 6 years in a row, with a high of 123 in 2012 (he played 9 games that year). The number is a strict comparison with other qbs in that season, not anything else. It compares like to like and is therefore a good measure in my opinion. My bar is very low at this point. 10-11 wins and a playoff appearance -- which is what Smith usually delivers -- is all I really want right now.

KC traded a second rounder and a conditional pick for someone who has been an objectively above average QB (using PFR's rating-plus measure of 100 as average) every season he has played there and in his final two 49er seasons. In the games he has started over the past 6 years, his teams have gone 60-26-1.

They basically drafted Alex Smith - they traded a second for him. They traded a first for Trent Green. Both were great moves. People need to be more expansive with regard to the idea of what a draft pick is. Brandin Cooks is basically the Pats first round pick this season, and Kony Ealy is their second rounder.

It's amazing to me how many fans overvalue future draft picks relative to living, breathing good NFL players. People should look around--in the first, second, and fifth rounds this year, Belichick "drafted" good, productive players who are already in the NFL. Please stop with the talk of trading the Bills' moat talented player (and young to boot) for a draft pick.

I liked Webb, but again, I'm no expert.

One of the comments is funny: "They finally came across some drafts they can handle."

I'm no expert, but I thought Trubisky looked like a more impressive pro prospect. Time will tell.

I just read Emily Kaplan's piece on MMQB about the Bears' draft, and apparently many felt that KC viewed Trubisky as the top QB and wanted him. "League sources say the Browns and Chiefs also coveted Trubisky and could have been a threat to up to No. 2." http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/05/02/nfl-chicago-bears-mitchell-trubisky-2017-nfl-draft

Yeah, but he didn't backstab anyone on deck. He was completely insane, however.

Ahab'd? Please explain (and I've read Moby Dick a couple of times).

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/draft.htm Lifetime qb ratings for the three of them: Plunkett: 67.5 Manning: 67.1 Pastorini: 59.1 All three of these guys were storied players too who had some legendary seasons. Man -- what a different era.

Yes - it is a lot easier than many think for superstar players coming off strong seasons to force their way out.

Thanks! PS - Just checked: Ingram had a sensational year last year: 5.1 ypc (1000+ yards) and 46 receptions to go with 10 TDs.

Question for 26CB - has there ever been a player whose option was declined by the team that drafted him and then either a) signed an extension with that team the next season or b) was franchised the next season by that team?

This makes absolutely zero sense.

Good take, but the foot is the core issue here. None of us know enough about that. The good news: if he IS healthy in 2017, it's in his interest to light it up. And that's great news for Tyrod Taylor. When healthy, Watkins is about as good a receiver that can be.