Trading away next year's first?

"The draft is a crap shoot" - the Minnesota Vikings took Troy Williamson with the 7th overall pick, the Minnesota Vikings took Adrian Peterson with the 7th overall pick. It can be boom or bust. Reggie Bush was supposed to be "the best prospect of the last 20 years". Decent player, so far not even close to the best layer of the last 5 years and maybe not that draft. Calvin Johnson was supposed to be the best wide receiver prospect since Randy Moss and the most sure thing in the 07 draft - 48 receptions 756 yards 4 TDs. Marques Colston had a far better rookie year as an afterthought. If someone was willing to give up 1st and 3rd round picks for Marques Colston as a restricted free agent would anyone be happy with that? They shouldn't be, because that 1st rounder could turn into a Robert Meachem, Craig "Buster" Davis etc. So long as you can identify an all-pro proven NFL player who fits your scheme, always take the proven commodity over a draft pick

In my mind, too many cliches rather than dealing with every possibility at face value. Justin Smith was the 4th overall selection of a draft, Charles Rogers and Robert Gallery the 2nd of others, Jonathan Sullivan the 6th of another. It takes excellent scouting teams to consistently hit on drafts. I'd like to see the Patriots and Colts grades on Gallery/Rogers. I doubt they had them with 4th round grades. Predicting the transition from college to the pros is not sure fire. Obviously the Patriots made a horrible TE pick in the 5th round before Tom Brady, and who wouldn't give up multiple 1st round picks for him given he has proven himself in the NFL.