I don't necessarily have a problem with the trades. In fact, with the number of quality players available still on the board -- I agree with them.
What it's going to come down to for me, is who they finally had targeted. There is a lot of talent on the board, but if we Paul Richardson this draft (yet again) -- then to me that validates one specific opinion that was floated at the time of Pete's signing as coach.
Specifically, the idea that Pete's success in the draft was going to be a direct function of his familiarity with the prospects that he knew from his time at USC. That once that advantage expired as his tenure in the NFL continued -- that he'd no longer be as capable of making the same shrewd moves that he could with his insider's knowledge of prospects.
Right now, that opinion has largely been justified. He's not come close to replicating the success he had when he was more familiar with the players coming out. And that's a trend that has started since 2014 and has persisted largely to today.
If we make these good draft capital moves, and end up with a Cam Robinson type who we end up in 2018 having to yet again try to solve our OT problem because we spent our first pick on yet another Carpenter/Britt type of prospect -- then these smart trades will be all for naught and we will have thrown away yet another opportunity to add to the next core group of players.
This team is getting older. And we're not adding new championship caliber talent. Much of that, is due to just available talent. But we're also not solving roster problems at any level anymore now. We're just getting guys who aren't worth resigning.
I don't struggle with the trade decisions. I'm struggling with how they vet their top picks to begin with. Seems like they fall in love with all of the wrong players. While Clark was a great pick -- from the sounds of their draft day discussions, he kind of fell into their laps. They admitted 'having to take a pass rusher because they were all going to be gone'. That's not indicative of a player they really wanted and directed draft strategy to acquire. Lockett they definitely targeted. But beyond that we've just been missing on our early draft boards heavily.
Today is kind of my make or break draft day for this FO. If they fumble this one that'll be 4 straight bungled drafts. Right at the point where some critics predicted back in 2010. And while I disagreed with their prognostication at the time, feeling like we had to at least let it unfold -- I can't disagree that the direct results of the 2014-16 drafts have unfolded exactly as predicted.
We can't afford to have a 4th straight bottom 10 draft result. That's 4 straight years that the rest of the NFL is gaining ground and passing this team by. That's how a team goes from championship window to full tear down/rebuild.
We fall flat on our faces today (especially when there is no excuse or justification why a competent FO should), and I'll be the newest member of the pitchfork brigade.
