Trading for top pick a mixed bag

By now we’ve all analyzed the Bears-Panthers trade ad nauseum. If you really want my two cents worth: I’d say the Bears were the clear winners. They got help now and in the future.

The Panthers were desperate to land a franchise quarterback this year. They paid a steep price to move up eight picks. Clearly, they felt the Texans were going to draft the guy they wanted.

Who “that guy” is we won’t know until April 27th. Frankly, I don’t see any of the top prospects at the position leading to instant success. Carolina needs more than one player to ail their woes.

Also, if you look at trades made prior to the draft for the top pick it has been a mixed bag. We’ll exclude trades made during the draft and after the players were drafted (the Eli Manning/Phillip Rivers quarterback swap for example).

The Oilers moved up to nab running Earl Campbell in 1978. In exchange Tampa Bay got a player and several picks. One turned out to be quarterback Doug Williams. Not bad for both teams.

The Rams moving up to draft quarterback Jared Goff #1 in 2016. They gave up six picks to the Titans in return. One of those picks was running back Derrick Henry. Big advantage Tennessee.