Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 64946)

Maybe someone can help me out and explain why it makes perfect sense to “overpay” in the draft for a guard at #6 but it’s not OK to overpay for a known commodity at guard in free agency. It’s a serious question because last night I was told I was to stupid to respond to because I value a high draft pick more than cap space on a team lacking talent but with loads of cap space. With the current lack of talent on the team I don’t see players being cap casualties anytime soon because you over paid for a top young guard in free agency (Norwell or Pugh), but I see the selection of Nelson immediately costing the team a defensive anchor. Seriously - what the hell am I missing?

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 64954)

I did. It didn't. No. Guard. Is. Worth. The. 6th. Overall. Pick. In. Any. Draft.



I'd rather go back to the Polian days of getting C or C+ draft grades from analysts and winning the division year in and year out.

Originally Posted by JesusChrist (Post 64953)

We didn't "overpay" for Nelson. He was an elite prospect in this draft and would have been chosen within a couple of picks of where he went. That's not overpaying.

Originally Posted by JesusChrist (Post 64956)

You mean the years when we had a good offensive line who protected the QB? Me too. Can't win the division with your franchise QB injured every year.

Originally Posted by Chromeburn (Post 64965)

The problem with Norwell is you are assuming it came down just to money. Norwell turned down the Giants and multiple other teams as well. He went to a contender. If we had gotten Norwell, would we still have taken Nelson? From a BPA perspective the answer would be yes. Unless Smith was just as closely rated.

Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 64955)

Assuming there are difference makers to spend it on, right? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that in 2020 Nelson and Norwell (or hell, even Pugh) will be closer in total game impact than Smith (especially) or Edmunds will be to the best free agent LB available that year. Look at the three names you compared Smith to previously and tell me how likely they are to hit free agency in their prime at 26 or 27 yrs old.

Originally Posted by Chromeburn (Post 64965)

The problem with Norwell is you are assuming it came down just to money. Norwell turned down the Giants and multiple other teams as well. He went to a contender. If we had gotten Norwell, would we still have taken Nelson? From a BPA perspective the answer would be yes. Unless Smith was just as closely rated.

Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 64971)

You are right that I don’t know what Norwell’s motivation was (or Pugh’s), but I think it’s become pretty clear what Ballard’s approach to free agency has been. His words and actions have mostly aligned. So I don’t think it’s at all a stretch to believe the Colts weren’t the highest bidder for either of their services. But regardless the question was primarily directed to those who think I’m crazy for, in the current situation, being willing to over pay the position in free agency but not in draft capital.

Originally Posted by Spike (Post 64966)

Ok, let's just let Luck get the holy shit beat out of him. Lets not be able to run the fucking ball. Ballard and Reich must be dumb shits to pick Nelson, damn we are in a world of hurt with these two running the Colts. I've mentioned this in other posts, there were only 3 really elite prospects in this draft and Nelson was one of them.

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 64968)

The years when the Colts drafted their starting guards on Day 3, impact defenders with top 15 picks, and the OL had 1 first round pick on the roster. Those years.