First off you guys have done an incredible job with the draft pod, went from a “when I have time” pod to “make time for” pod!
What’s your favorite position to watch tape of and what’s the position you’re most confident in evaluating?
Can you walk us through that process? What you look for in that position, etc.

The lamest 24-hour news cycle of the NFL calendar is when Twitter is filled up with tweets announcing rookie deals getting signed. It’s all a formality and the deals always get done.

But this week I want to pick your mega brains about rookie contracts, particularly first rounders! The NFL doesn’t have nearly the parity that it probably should have with a hard salary cap and the draft set up the way it is. More or less, the good teams stay good and the bad teams stay bad.

Do you think that part of the reason is because there is such a significant sliding scale in rookie compensation within the first round? For example, the Clevelands of the league have been drafting in the top 10 for a decade, and Green Bays of the league are consistently drafting at the end of the first round. Going off this year’s numbers, Burrow is slated to make $36 million dollars and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is slated to make just $10.8. So a team like Miami may be paying the four first rounders that are still on that rookie contract a total of $30-36 million, while a team like the Packers may be paying something more like $15 million to its four first rounders on the roster.

Of course, its justifiable for the higher draft picks to earn more, but how significant of a role do you think that plays in preventing the lower tier teams from rising? And if it does play a significant role in preventing the league from achieving true parity, would you change that system or keep it the same regardless?

For comparison, in the NHL, I believe the Entry Level Contract is identical for each player, regardless of draft pick. Cale Makar is making $925K this year and will make the same next year, which is the same thing that a late round pick makes when they get signed to their pro deal. Incidentally, the NHL also has the best parity of all the leagues. I gotta think it’s a major a factor!

Let’s say there is no FCS football this year or very few games. What happens (draft-wise) to studs like Samori Toure and Trey Lance. Are they left in the dust of the FBS or is there a method for them to keep their stocks high in light of a lack of game tape?

Love
The Count

Ok, I gotta ask and you probably have already ranted about the lunacy of this trade – but what are the long term ramifications for trading away multiple first round picks. Granted the hawks seem to eschew any notion of what first round value is, but what will the lasting effects be and what would they be for most teams?

Love
The Count

Hey guys, loving your work as always.
Do you think the Broncos would have drafted Laviska if he was aviable when they picked Hammler or was Hammler their target al along?.