Could we have obtained Dart without trading up?

[Bob In PA]

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.

PSU: For us it hardly matters because we got our PSU guy regardless. lol

[Philosophers]

If you like Dart and maybe not other Qbs as much, isn't your downside bigger than your upside?

[Painter]

What is gained by second-guessing which, other than whining, seems to be almost instinctive around here? Either you are satisfied with what they did, or you are not. Just say so and be done with it.

Cheers!

[kingm56]

If you like Dart and maybe not other Qbs as much, isn't your downside bigger than your upside?

I'm not tracking your question, Joe.  To be fair, I'm only on my first cup of coffee while preparing for a speech; so, I'll profess to being slow this morning...

[Bob In PA]

this move could prove to be the inflection point that redirects the franchise's trajectory

king: If so, then, as Frank Loesser memorably wrote,

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition"

(an American patriotic song) because it's about f-'n' time!

Bob

[Bob In PA]

What is gained by second-guessing which, other than whining, seems to be almost instinctive around here? Either you are satisfied with what they did, or you are not. Just say so and be done with it.

Larry: "Could we have obtained Dart without trading up" is a fair question for anyone interested in professional football, and I don't see any whining in any of the responses (except for your post whining about the question). Cheers.

[PSUBeirut]

king: If so, then, as Frank Loesser memorably wrote, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" (an American patriotic song) because it's about f-'n' time!  Bob

It helps to remember that if there is an inflection point, there is assuredly only one way it could point:  UP.   

[kingm56]

king: If so, then, as Frank Loesser memorably wrote, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" (an American patriotic song) because it's about f-'n' time! Bob

LOL!

Time will tell, Bob. For the first time in years I'm genuinely satisfied with the roster and convinced the franchise is on the right trajectory. Even in 2023 I felt fans badly over-estimated both the roster and the quarterback; I capped that group at seven wins.

Today the outlook is entirely different: we have a core of tangible talent under 25, and a defense that may be the strongest we've fielded in nearly a decade—good enough to keep us in every game. I'm not yet certain Dart is the long-term answer, but his intangibles are impressive and his physical tools are at least NFL-average. Add in a deep, quality skill-position group, and there is finally reason for optimism. I'm looking forward to this season in a way I haven't for a long time.

[madbadger]

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

Devonta Smith says hello.

[londonblue]

We will never know for certain what would have happened if we had not traded up. I am not a huge fan of the decision but we are where we are. If Daboll is right about Dart it will transform our future. If he is wrong he and Schoen will get fired and we will endure the consequences. The swing has been taken. The pitch is still inbound and the outcome uncertain.

[Crypto Fareez]

Yeah, it's a fair question.
We were really just looking for a partner to trade with so we can get the 5th year option on him. Also if things stayed the way they were, we were really only scared of the browns top of second taking him. We jumped 9 spots. Probably an 80 percent chance we could have stayed put. But what's done is done. I am happy to have him. All those qb's that got past the Saints and especially the steelers were probably falling much later than many would think. That 2 and comp third were essential to us building the trenches imho.

I know nobody wants to talk about this yet, but if we have an awful season and arch manning or someone generational is there I hope Jaxson Darts "potential" doesn't preclude them from pulling that trigger in 2026.

[Bob In PA]

Devonta Smith says hello.

madb: Good one! I'll put you down as a "no" in response to the question I posed. lol

Speaking of that, what did you make of the Eagles switching picks with the Chiefs?

If it was to block a team, which team do you think they were trying to block from trading with KC?

Bob

[MightyGiants]

How did we feel when Devonte Smith was snaked from us?  How about Conklin and Leonard Floyd?

There is no way to know the answer to the question.   Still, if you like a QB prospect, better to be aggressive and perhaps miss out on a little value maximization than lose out on the prospect all together

[jgrangers2]

I've got to think that the Giants had some sort of intel or believe that somebody else wanted Dart in order to make this move. Ultimately, the price wasn't that high so, even if they didn't have that intel, making the move to secure their guy isn't a bad play. That said, I don't buy that the Rams were locked in on Dart and moved out because of it. I think they saw an opportunity to trade out of a weaker draft in favor of an additional first rounder next year when they hope the talent available is stronger.

[Bob In PA]

Yeah, it's a fair question.
We were really just looking for a partner to trade with so we can get the 5th year option on him. Also if things stayed the way they were, we were really only scared of the browns top of second taking him. We jumped 9 spots. Probably an 80 percent chance we could have stayed put. But what's done is done. I am happy to have him. All those qb's that got past the Saints and especially the steelers were probably falling much later than many would think. That 2 and comp third were essential to us building the trenches imho.

I know nobody wants to talk about this yet, but if we have an awful season and arch manning or someone generational is there I hope Jaxson Darts "potential" doesn't preclude them from pulling that trigger in 2026.

Crypto: Nice post. As for Dart's potential, IMO our coaches will know long before the next draft whether they made a mistake, although, considering how long the fooled around with Jones trying to make it work, I can see very clearly WHY you raise the point. Hopefully, they too will still remember how much it cost them to "be loyal" and keep trying in vain to "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" and move on. One more thing I like about the Dart pick. I do see him and can almost guarantee that the worst we'll get out of him is still good enough to be a long-term backup quarterback, so he'll still come in handy. Bob