Did Joe Schoen overpay for Drew Lock?

[brownelvis54]

Did Joe Schoen overpay for Drew Lock? Giants destined to trade down in NFL Draft.

Under Pickett's current contract, his cap number for 2024 is $1.98 million and $2.62 million for 2025. Lock cost us 5 million.

The Eagles are getting two seasons of Pickett compared to one season of Fields, ignoring the fifth-year option that will come into play for the former first-round picks. Fields was a first-round pick in 2021, so the Eagles would have had to make a decision on his fifth-year option for 2025 by May 2.

Philadelphia also has Jalen Hurts in the first year of a five-year extension this year, and Hurts has a cap number of $21.8 million in 2025. The cost of Fields' fifth-year option in 2025 would be $25.7 million, which the Eagles would easily decline since they are paying Hurts to be their franchise quarterback.

Basically the Eagles would have Fields for one season as the No. 2 quarterback, instead of two seasons of Pickett. Hence why the cost for Pickett was a 2024 third-round pick (No. 98 overall) and a pair of 2025 seventh-round picks -- and the Eagles got a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 120 overal) back in the deal.

Fields was cheaper in draft compensation to acquire because of the fifth-year option deadline in play. Hence why the Steelers only had to give up a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Bears that converts to a fourth-round selection if Fields plays 51% of snaps this season.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/kenny-pickett-trade-why-eagles-gave-up-more-for-former-steelers-qb-instead-of-trading-for-justin-fields/

[uconnjack8]

I think paying 2% of a teams cap space for a backup QB with Lock's level of experience seems reasonable. 

[DaveBrown74]

I guess one point to make here is the Giants didn't have to give up any picks for Lock. They would have had to for either Fields or Pickett. Albeit, the draft capital compensation for each player was not high, but this is seen to be a loaded draft, so even a 6th rounder could have some value. Plus it could become a 4th rounder.

As for Pickett, I have never been very impressed with him. Lock has  bit more pop to his game IMO. Also, Pickett may be a prima-donna type. He seemed to act very poorly when they started Rudolph over him.

[Ed Vette]

Starting QB salaries have skyrocketed. The going price for a decent backup at 5 mill is an appropriate price.

[Giant Obsession]

I think both Shoen and Coach Sparky realize that their jobs may hinge on this season.  So Shoen got what he considered the most 1st team ready QB available on the market because he will probably need him and sooner rather than later.

Drew Lock will be the starting QB by Week 5, if not sooner.  And if he shines in camp and preseason then DJ will find himself on the PUP list.

[H-Town G-Fan]

Tyrod was 5.5MM for the last two years. Lock's contract is a push as a cap concern and completely acceptable for a backup QB with some starting experience.

[MightyGiants]

Pickett lacks the competitive nature needed for success.  He is not the kind of guy you want to add to your locker room.

If you want a team that is tough,smart and dependable, those are the types of players you add.

[WheresDayne]

I guess one point to make here is the Giants didn't have to give up any picks for Lock. They would have had to for either Fields or Pickett. Albeit, the draft capital compensation for each player was not high, but this is seen to be a loaded draft, so even a 6th rounder could have some value. Plus it could become a 4th rounder.

As for Pickett, I have never been very impressed with him. Lock has  bit more pop to his game IMO. Also, Pickett may be a prima-donna type. He seemed to act very poorly when they started Rudolph over him.

The 6th round pick will be for next year's draft.

[uconnjack8]

Given Pickett's reaction to things mid-season and during the offseason, I sense some immaturity.

For whatever reason I didn't realize Fields had started 38 games already.  That's a pretty decent sample size with no major signs of turning a corner. 

[londonblue]

Tyrod was 5.5MM for the last two years. Lock's contract is a push as a cap concern and completely acceptable for a backup QB with some starting experience.

Lock is both smaller $ than Tyrod last year and a smaller % of an increasing cap and pretty much slap bang in the middle of the back-up pay range ($3-8m with a couple of outliers). So, answering the question, no.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Short answer: NO

Lock is still young, healthy, with good size (6'4"/228), and has NFL experience, albeit, being bounced around in his first four years, being groomed while missing time twice for suffering a thumb injury, then the following year, a shoulder injury, all while adjusting to different teams, different coaches, and two different team styles. Still, in limited action, he had 786 passing attempts, 469 completions (60%), 28/23 TD/int, 5,283 yds, and a PFF rating of 79.5 (pretty damn good for a backup guy)

He's never been in a steady program where he was allowed to be groomed in continuity by a stable coaching staff, job security, etc. Coming out of college, he was a first team SEC QB in the toughest conference in the country, and was the FBS passing leader in 2017. He is not "without talent"

Getting him for a measly 5M, without giving up any assets, was a steal IMO. He will be a reliable backup if things go to shlt, and maybe more down the road. If DJ goes down for an extended period of time, he might surprise a lot of people...especially if he can get some decent protection

[DaveBrown74]

Think Lock is more reliable durability-wise and also has more pop to his game and a bit more upside than Tyrod.

I'm not sure if he's actually better than Tyrod though. If he's not, he's close enough. He's a backup. and a pretty decent one.

[uconnjack8]

Tyrod at one point was a high end backup, he rarely turned the ball over and could make plays with his legs.  Not sure he is as good at this point because the legs look like they lost a step. 

Lock fits more of what Daboll wants to do and is more in the mold of, dare I say, Josh Allen.  Meaning he has more of a gunslinger mentality.   He is quite obviously not Josh Allen.  Daboll wants to throw the ball down field. 
 I think  Tyrod was on the team because they could run a similar offense with him that they planned to run with Jones.

Now Daboll looks to want to switch gears and run more of what they did in Buffalo.