Big Blue Huddle

I was going to wait until after tonight for this, but...  I think Dart would have been there at 34.

Even if you argue he wouldn't have been (there ARE good arguments), IMO it was only necessary get ahead of one team (the Browns) after the Steelers failed to draft a QB in the first round last night.

I'd have risked waiting -or- traded with the Titans for 32. In any event, the really good news is the powers-that-be must really believe in Dart, so I'm happy we have him. Just think we overpaid.

Bob

Many seem to think the Rams were going to take him, the immediate trade back also seems to support that.

In any case, I said this already in another thread, but if he is your guy, and you truly believe in him and want him (which they clearly do), Then you do not assume, you do not hope, you do not take chances, you get him, and you move on.

We will never know for sure, but regardless, it is not a chance worth taking. It would be malpractice to do so.

My gut tells me yes, they could get him at 34.  But, the price to move up was not that bad.  Rams traded out of 26 and might have been willing to do so after Dart went off the board.  Might have been A LOT higher on Dart than Sanders and may not have wanted the Browns to be able to steal him.

Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2025, 11:28:21 AMI was going to wait until after tonight for this, but...  I think Dart would have been there at 34.

Even if you argue he wouldn't have been (there ARE good arguments), IMO it was only necessary get ahead of one team (the Browns) after the Steelers failed to draft a QB in the first round last night.

I'd have risked waiting -or- traded with the Titans for 32. In any event, the really good news is the powers-that-be must really believe in Dart, so I'm happy we have him. Just think we overpaid.

Bob

I look at what the Rams did immediately after the Giants grabbed Dart and can't think anything other than they were targeting him with their own pick. Given that I don't see him making it past the Rams, I think it was necessary and the price does not prevent them from moving on in a worst case scenario. Securing the 5th year option isn't nothing, as well (though it may be a bit overstated, because if he shows himself to be a franchise QB he'll assuredly get a new deal before playing on that option).

Quote from: MrGap92 on April 25, 2025, 11:31:55 AMMany seem to think the Rams were going to take him, the immediate trade back also seems to support that.

In any case, I said this already in another thread, but if he is your guy, and you truly believe in him and want him (which they clearly do), Then you do not assume, you do not hope, you do not take chances, you get him, and you move on.

We will never know for sure, but regardless, it is not a chance worth taking. It would be malpractice to do so.

G: I respect that argument, just as I respect the move they made to do it. Too late now anyway. Bob

Its total speculation. No one knows.  I'm looking at it this way. First, Mara's public statement about finding a QB has to affect Schoen's decision making and who know what he said behind the scenes.  Two, we clearly did not overpay if Dart is the real thing.  Three, if we believe that Daboll really wanted Dart, and I do, it has to be a positive move.  Having McVay interested is also a positive Dart can spend a red shirt year which has to help.

Quote from: coggs on April 25, 2025, 11:33:43 AMMy gut tells me yes, they could get him at 34.  But, the price to move up was not that bad.  Rams traded out of 26 and might have been willing to do so after Dart went off the board.  Might have been A LOT higher on Dart than Sanders and may not have wanted the Browns to be able to steal him.

cogg:s All good arguments. I'm assuming then that (like me) you would not have done it. But I'm not saying it was a bad move. They could see him as "the next [fill-in-the-blank]" so I can't say it was reckless. Bob

Jess pointed out that he believes the Saints were in play and wanted Dart as well, and many believe the Browns would've taken Dart with the 33rd pick if he was still available

Since it's lyin-season, no one really knows what other teams were targeting behind closed doors. But I believe a couple teams or more thought they could get him by waiting. The Rams were definitely a little pissed that the Giants snagged him one pick ahead of them. But again...everything is speculation and teams aren't going to admit who they were targeting. In this case, I think Dart was a lot more desirable than teams let on...and for good reason. It also backs up the ole saying, "you snooze, you lose"

My gut says the Rams were the hinge point, as they often are in round one.  I, too, think it's becoming obvious that most QB needy teams likely had Dart rated ahead of Sanders.  For what was given up (and, what was NOT given up- namely Thibs and pick 65) I think it was the right move.

I concur with the assessment regarding the Rams. If Los Angeles hadn't moved up, the Cleveland Browns would have been an equally strong landing spot. Multiple reports also suggest that New Orleans was exploring a trade to re-enter the first round. In short, I put the probability of Dart still being available at pick 34 at well under 20 percent.  I believe the Giants made a calculated risk-reward transaction.

Quote from: H-Town G-Fan on April 25, 2025, 11:33:56 AMI look at what the Rams did immediately after the Giants grabbed Dart and can't think anything other than they were targeting him with their own pick. Given that I don't see him making it past the Rams, I think it was necessary and the price does not prevent them from moving on in a worst case scenario. Securing the 5th year option isn't nothing, as well (though it may be a bit overstated, because if he shows himself to be a franchise QB he'll assuredly get a new deal before playing on that option).

H-T: All the best arguments.

I was just wondering what others thought (because I wouldn't have done it).

Bottom line: IMO it was worth a shot (because I trust their judgment on how good he CAN be), but having to wait a year does IMO "add" significantly to the price they paid.

Bob

Quote from: kingm56 on April 25, 2025, 11:47:09 AMI concur with the assessment regarding the Rams. If Los Angeles hadn't moved up, the Cleveland Browns would have been an equally strong landing spot. Multiple reports also suggest that New Orleans was exploring a trade to re-enter the first round. In short, I put the probability of Dart still being available at pick 34 at well under 20 percent.  I believe the Giants made a calculated risk-reward transaction.

king: I like the mathematical aspect you brought into the discussion. I think that played a strong role in their final decision. Here's hoping it makes MORE AND MORE sense as time goes by! Bob

Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2025, 11:44:14 AMcogg:s All good arguments. I'm assuming then that (like me) you would not have done it. But I'm not saying it was a bad move. They could see him as "the next [fill-in-the-blank]" so I can't say it was reckless. Bob

At the time, I wouldn't have.  But, that was before the Rams traded out.  If they gave up 34 and 65 I would have been annoyed.  34 and a 2nd next year, I would have been annoyed.  But, I am ok with this.  And, I think I just talked myself out of my previous answer of "My gut tells me they could have got him at 34..."

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 25, 2025, 11:44:59 AMJess pointed out that he believes the Saints were in play and wanted Dart as well, and many believe the Browns would've taken Dart with the 33rd pick if he was still available

Since it's lyin-season, no one really knows what other teams were targeting behind closed doors. But I believe a couple teams or more thought they could get him by waiting. The Rams were definitely a little pissed that the Giants snagged him one pick ahead of them. But again...everything is speculation and teams aren't going to admit who they were targeting. In this case, I think Dart was a lot more desirable than teams let on...and for good reason. It also backs up the ole saying, "you snooze, you lose"

Jolly: You're right about "lyin' season" lol so we'll never know.

I think for all the reasons stated above it is highly likely staying put (or even trading up to 32).

However, I still would not have done it. I would have traded up for a player deemed likely to help us NOW.

Bob

Quote from: coggs on April 25, 2025, 11:50:59 AMAt the time, I wouldn't have.  But, that was before the Rams traded out.  If they gave up 34 and 65 I would have been annoyed.  34 and a 2nd next year, I would have been annoyed.  But, I am ok with this.  And, I think I just talked myself out of my previous answer of "My gut tells me they could have got him at 34..."

Well said, Coggs. The draft capital invested is commensurate with the potential payoff; this move could prove to be the inflection point that redirects the franchise's trajectory. Even if the upside never materializes, the downside risk is minimal. In short, it's a sound risk-reward play.