TRADE DOWN

[Whatever]

(01-19-2021, 04:48 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Was it really? Let's look:

Draft Year; 1999


Offer Made: Cincinnati traded its first-round selection (5th) to New Orleans in exchange for New Orleans' first-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-round selections (12th, 71st, 107th, 144th, 179th, and 218th), as well as New Orleans' 2000 first- and third-round selections (2nd and 64th).

Now if we go strictly by who was drafted in those spots we wind up with:
1999
12- Cade McNown/QB 
71-D’Wayne Bates/WR
107-Nate Stimson/LB
144- Khari Samuel/LB
179- Desmond Clark/TE
218-Billy Miller/TE
2000
2-Lavar Arrington/LB
64-Lloyd Harrison/CB

Of course the only players of note were Desmond Clark  who had a solid 11 year NFL career and LaVarr Arrington. 3 time Pro Bowler in 6 year career.

But what was the bigger mistake that year: Drafting for talent over need. We didn't need a QB, but Aliki showed talent, what we needed was a CB. Boomer and Fulcher urged Mikey to go defense.

So I ask: WHich was the bigger mistake?

Passing up on the trade or waiting until the 2nd to address our need at CB by taking Charles Fisher instead of grabbing Champ Bailey in the first?

Most everyone had Champ Bailey as a better prospect than Akili.  The Bengals needed a QB, though, as Jeff Blake had been benched numerous times the preceding seasons.  It's actually the opposite of what you said.  They went for need instead of taking the slam dunk talent.