dave mcbride

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.

Good take; I agree. That said, history on his side w/regard to his injury (i.e., he probably should overcome it) and he is young. If he has a big year, though, expect him to try and get out. Many don't like to hear this, but with star players the team doesn't hold all of the cards. Players can force their way out if they're good enough and angry enough. Re Rex, I suspect that there's a little bit of CYA given that the staff pushed him to play when he wasn't ready. He shouldn't have been playing early in the season; that's clear now.

A guy who tore his ACL! yup. He can sit out the first six games, come back and protect himself in the remaining ten, and in the process burn all bridges with the team. He'll hit the market at age 25 and presumably coming off a big 2017 season (assuming he is healthy).

Another guy who was "injury prone" (far more than Watkins) early in his career: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJi00.htm .

Coughlin was a hardass and couldn't win? He got to the AFC championship game twice with an expansion team in its first five seasons. "Winning" encompasses more than winning Super Bowls ...

When I think of the label "injury prone but super talented," this is the guy that comes most immediately to mind. Look at his career: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylFr00.htm Watkins is very young and supremely talented. It's more likely than not that he'll have some good luck on the health front. He's due.

You need to understand: I actively root for Cowboys dysfunction. In my mind, the world is a better, more functional place when the Cowboys are dysfunctional. I only care about my guys. Screw the rest!

As Yolo mentions above, the foot is probably the biggest issue here. There's a lot that we don't know. Speaking of that foot, I have to think Watkins and his people (agent etc) are pissed at the Bills for pushing him back on the field in early 2016. He shouldn't have been playing, and playing made the situation worse.

I'm talking specifically about the teams I'm a fan of. The Bills are a mess, and have been since Ralph decided that he didn't want to pay Butler the going rate before the 2000 season.