5 Bold Predictions for the 2017 NFL Draft
By Jon Dove
Prediction: The New Orleans Saints trade pick No. 32 to a team looking to land a quarterback.
The picks at the end of the 1st round are becoming more valuable as the process progresses. This really changed when the Collective Bargaining Agreement was adjusted to give the team’s a 5-year option on 1st round picks.
That extra year is very important when you start talking about developing a young quarterback. It also means that if you grab a quarterback at the end of the 1st round and he succeeds he’ll be cost controlled for an extra year.
The 2017 NFL Draft is loaded with developmental quarterbacks who could entice someone to trade back into the 1st round. This group includes Patrick Mahomes, DeShone Kizer and Davis Webb. The New Orleans Saints own the last pick in the 1st round and should be willing to make a deal.
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Say the Arizona Cardinals pass on a quarterback at pick No. 13 but want that extra year of control. They could off the Saints pick No. 45 (2nd Round) and No. 77 (3rd Round) to get back into the 1st round.
Arizona is just one of several teams that are looking to add a young developmental quarterback. I’m sure the Saints will get more than a few offers for pick No. 32 overall.