New model - Jacksonville?

[*ochocincos*]

(12-21-2017, 11:31 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Jacksonville has drafted really well over the years too and accumulated a bunch of young talent...then they brought in some big name free agents and trades to take it to the next level.

They have, but they also drafted in the top 5 most years, so it was pretty easy to get a really good player. Plus they had a lot of needs at that time so they really could go true BPA and that player would start as a rookie or sophomore.
What Jacksonville did after all those really good drafts was realize they only have a couple years of keeping those good young players on the cheap before those players hit FA, so they brought in some key top-notch FAs to get their team to the next level. They recognized their window was open and could close within a few years once these players come off their rookie contracts.

Maybe the Bengals need to draft a few years in the top 5 before they have a good chance at competing again given they aren't aggressive in FA.