The incoming rookie class is not normal by any sense of the word. In fact, most of the players you will be drafting in the back half of the first round, would be top five picks in most years. We can thank a record number of juniors declaring for the NFL Draft for that. With a class this deep, it really makes you sit back and project what your team is going to look like in a couple of years. You have to decide whether they are part of the solution, or, if they will end up being part of the problem
Two days ago, I asked myself whether I considered Jordy Nelson a problem, or solution. I came to the conclusion he’d be closer to a problem in two years. So, in true UTH fashion, I sent offers to every owner in my league to see if anyone wanted to acquire his services. Fishing is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s an amazing adrenaline rush when a fish takes the bait.
I personally believe in selling off wide receivers at age 29, and although Jordy is only 28 currently, he will be 29 before the 2014 season starts. To me, once a player hits that age, the clock is ticking.
Jordy Nelson is still a productive player who has an ADP in the top 30 startup drafts. However, my particular team is in the middle of a small rebuild and I’m looking to build for the future.
My group of wide receivers before the trade included – Julio Jones, Jordy Nelson, Michael Crabtree, DeAndre Hopkins, Rueben Randle, Jeremy Maclin, Greg Jennings and Stevie Johnson. Obviously Jordy isn’t my only problem, but he is an easier sell than guys like Johnson and Jennings who I’d be glad to peddle for any second round pick.
After some negotiations back and forth, I finally came to an agreement to give Jordy a new home.
Gave: Jordy Nelson
Received: Rookie pick 1.09
After this trade, I’m even more locked and loaded for this years rookie draft. I currently sit with picks 1.03, 1.07, 1.09, 1.10, 2.03 and 2.07. If I hit on even 50% of these picks, this is going to be a quick rebuild.
Takeaway: Most of you are probably looking at this deal and thinking to yourself, “Doug, what the heck were you thinking”? Like I said earlier, with such a deep class and so many different opinions on player rankings, it is very likely I will end up getting a player I love at pick 1.09. So while I may not have won the trade today, I’m highly optimistic the player I end up drafting at that spot has a chance to be a core player on my squad for years to come.
