admo
Heisman Trophy Winner
I totally agree. I think trading up is the best way to go, as high as possible as you say, so that you might have your choice between 2 guys. And then you go from there (building around him).I'm not a big fan of shipping away more early draft picks. We've done a ton of that recently with terrible results.
That being said, I don't see Payton wanting to sit around and wait for a second-tier QB to develop, especially after a bad first year that they've basically blamed on Wilson (not that I disagree). However, since they have done nothing to sign a free agent, and with those options basically gone at this point, I don't see that they have much in the way of options except to trade up as far as they can to get a guy that they think they can at least get to the playoffs with in year one.
I think they would have a reasonable chance with any of the first five QBs to be drafted, and maybe Nix as well. But if they stay at 12, they'll get no better than the fifth choice and you risk someone else trading up and grabbing that guy.
So my gut says they are going to trade up into the top five and get a guy they really want, future be damned.
It's not impossible to make the playoffs with a rookie QB (Dak, CJ, Purdy, etc). At least be in contention the last few weeks of the year.
But the main thing is when you see the light turn on and realize your future is set at QB, your entire team and franchise and fan base gets excited. And since they are rookie QBs, you have extra money to build a team around them (off/def).
And I agree, I wouldn't waste a pick on a 2nd tier QB to fill in. I'd go get the best players (edge rusher, OT) and look to the future draft for a #1 QB.