Why Matthew Golden was the Right Pick

[Deputy Nutz]

Golden was the right pick, although I personally think he is a little on the smaller side and his route running still needs development. He does a really nice job of adjusting to the ball when it is in the air. He has fantastic body control especially catching the ball in tight space and along the sideline. His hands are fantastic and has the ability to make circus type catches. He doesn't let the proximity of defenders interfere with his focus on catching the ball. Most importantly he has speed that is of the elite level. I would like to see him have better burst after catch, it's sort of like he needs to find openings before he can really get going, he might lack some instincts in that department.

Why was he the right pick? I think the tiers at the other need position were still stacked with talented players. Whether that was at defensive tackle, and edge. At positions like corner and especially with Will Johnsons medicals there weren't any players available that warranted the 23rd selection in this draft. I don't think the Packers were going to take an offensive lineman in the first round, but there was a significant run on them earlier in the draft. Golden was the last receiver left in my Tier 1 group of receivers.

[MadtownPacker]

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/62/b2/5d/62b25d518448a436b675eae2a803b08a.jpg

A different camera angle of when the pick was announced:


https://youtu.be/SwB0ZJbwmpw

[QBME]

Golden was the right pick, although I personally think he is a little on the smaller side and his route running still needs development. He does a really nice job of adjusting to the ball when it is in the air. He has fantastic body control especially catching the ball in tight space and along the sideline. His hands are fantastic and has the ability to make circus type catches. He doesn't let the proximity of defenders interfere with his focus on catching the ball. Most importantly he has speed that is of the elite level. I would like to see him have better burst after catch, it's sort of like he needs to find openings before he can really get going, he might lack some instincts in that department.

Why was he the right pick? I think the tiers at the other need position were still stacked with talented players. Whether that was at defensive tackle, and edge. At positions like corner and especially with Will Johnsons medicals there weren't any players available that warranted the 23rd selection in this draft. I don't think the Packers were going to take an offensive lineman in the first round, but there was a significant run on them earlier in the draft. Golden was the last receiver left in my Tier 1 group of receivers.

Thanks
As an admitted know-nothing draft wise I kinda lean on the Packerrats folks to do my thinking for me. Some who seem to actually know what they're speaking of.
So, sigh of relief. I hope the kid has a positive attitude and is willing to work and learn.
Maybe even light a fire under the asses of Messrs. Reed and Wicks.

[run pMc]

Why was he the right pick? I think the tiers at the other need position were still stacked with talented players. Whether that was at defensive tackle, and edge. At positions like corner and especially with Will Johnsons medicals there weren't any players available that warranted the 23rd selection in this draft. I don't think the Packers were going to take an offensive lineman in the first round, but there was a significant run on them earlier in the draft. Golden was the last receiver left in my Tier 1 group of receivers.

Agree with this. At the end of the day, he was probably the last guy in a tier appropriate for the pick. BPA at a position of need. Agree he's a little small and routes and YAC need improvement. Some are calling him an almost-Chris Olave, which isn't bad tbh.
GB is going to have decisions to make with the Watson & Doubs contracts expiring this year, and Reed/Wicks after next season, and Kraft is gonna get PAID too. Good to refresh the pipeline of receivers.

Khalil Shakir got 4/60, what do you think these guys will want? Average-to-good players are now getting good-to-great-level player contracts, and that's from their own teams. Might as well keep drafting.

[bobblehead]

I'll be honest. I hate this pick. I like the draft overall, but when you botch the 1st, can it be a great draft?? He doesn't even fit the theme of physicality that we seem to have gone with all offseason and in the other parts of the draft. Did we really need to waste a first on a guy to take the top off the D?? He's going to need to be Steve Smith for it to be a good pick. Plus I hated his suit and general demeaner. He said the right things at least. I just have images of a young Jaire in my head. Hope I'm wrong.

[sharpe1027]

Late first round pick needs to be as good as a 16 year vet with 5 pro bowls and retire in the top ten all time for all purpose yards?

We have very different expectations.

[MadScientist]

If Watson was healthy and had developed to his potential, we didn't need Golden. We need a guy to take the top of the defense. The receivers under preformed last year by a significant amount, and there is no guarantee that Watson will do anything, or Doubs will solve his concussion problems. The only issue I have with Golden is that with all that speed and reported rout running ability, he should have better results against man. Maybe there's an underlying reason for it related to his team or something that can be coached up in the pros (if the Packers receivers coach can actually coach).

[sharpe1027]

I read a few reports that Ewers was not good at throwing the long ball and that Golden did a good job adjusting to poor throws.

[Fritz]

Yes. For all the bluster from Watson's dad, it's Doubs who really is in trouble. Whether it's medical because of the concussions, or because of his 'tude, or both, I don't think he'll be in Green Bay in 2026.

And fuck Christian Watson's dad. "They'll get what they deserve." What is that, some kind of threat that they'll somehow try to screw the Packers? He's a weird dude. Even weirder that his son seems nothing like him.

[run pMc]

Doubs is the loser with this pick. Watson possibly, although any contract he'd get wouldn't be huge.
None of these guys have cracked 900 yards yet, on a 17 game schedule. They have talent, but they aren't irreplaceable.

The suspension plus concussions were going to cloud Doubs' future at least. I hope he goes out there and has a career year, but I don't think he's worth a $15-20M contract.

Golden struck me as a late R1 early R2 talent in a draft where there was more high end talent. In this draft he was seen as a top 15 player, and getting him at 23 is pretty good. The run on DT's and the top DE's forced Gute's hand a bit, and with Golden right there it was either take a top15 guy or trade down with NYG/ATL. I'm fine with the pick, he doesn't look like a bum on film.

[bobblehead]

Late first round pick needs to be as good as a 16 year vet with 5 pro bowls and retire in the top ten all time for all purpose yards?

We have very different expectations.

At a minimum!!! Ok, what I was getting at is his physical stature isn't what I expect success out of and generally that has been true year after year, Jalen Reagor after Zay Flowers. Sub 6' WR who are hyped into first round picks rarely pan out. Steve Smith was an exception which is why I used him as my example. Because I can't think of many sub 6' WR speedsters that really pan out. Maybe Golden breaks the rule. I hope he does.

[bobblehead]

Doubs is the loser with this pick. Watson possibly, although any contract he'd get wouldn't be huge.
None of these guys have cracked 900 yards yet, on a 17 game schedule. They have talent, but they aren't irreplaceable.

The suspension plus concussions were going to cloud Doubs' future at least. I hope he goes out there and has a career year, but I don't think he's worth a $15-20M contract.

Golden struck me as a late R1 early R2 talent in a draft where there was more high end talent. In this draft he was seen as a top 15 player, and getting him at 23 is pretty good. The run on DT's and the top DE's forced Gute's hand a bit, and with Golden right there it was either take a top15 guy or trade down with NYG/ATL. I'm fine with the pick, he doesn't look like a bum on film.

The Giants gave up their 2nd (what was it, like 35?) and 2 thirds (one this, one next) for pick 25. I have to believe Gutes was offered that deal for 23. I'd have much rather went that route.

[sharpe1027]

The Giants gave up their 2nd (what was it, like 35?) and 2 thirds (one this, one next) for pick 25. I have to believe Gutes was offered that deal for 23. I'd have much rather went that route.

You can't know that. They might have only reached out to any teams after the Packers picked.

[run pMc]

Gute said a couple teams wanted to move up and they were listening to those offers. I think they thought Golden was too good to pass up.
Time will tell.

NYG gave up their R2, R3 and next year's R3 for a R1. So 34, 99, and next year's R3 pick. Houston took Jayden Higgins and packaged the 99th pick with their own R2 to move up to 48 and take Aireontae Ersery.
Basically, Houston traded Jaxson Dart, Jack Bech, and Charles Grant for Jayden Higgins and Aireontae Ersery (and a future R3). I'm not sure I'd trade Golden and Belton for Higgins and Ersery.

I would have listened and been at least tempted to trade down, but I don't blame Gute for not taking that. I do think getting as many Day 2 picks as possible is almost always a good thing, but you can't say right now Gute made a bad choice. Check back in 2-3 years.

[bobblehead]

You can't know that. They might have only reached out to any teams after the Packers picked.

Didn't say I knew it, but if the Giants offered it for 25, why wouldn't they have reached out and made the offer at 23. It was obvious the packers were fielding offers. I mean, its not like the guy they coveted wasn't there at 23, but was at 25. But I guess its possible they had 2 guys in mind and when one went they made the offer.

[SudsMcBucky]

There is no doubt in my mind GB was offerred, at minimum, that same deal, possibly more. However, I told my son that there was no way the Packers were trading that pick unless it was for a stupid amount/quality of picks to move out of the first round. Now, if this draft were held in ANY other city this year, I also have no doubt Gute woulda jumped all over that trade offer.

[sharpe1027]

Didn't say I knew it, but if the Giants offered it for 25, why wouldn't they have reached out and made the offer at 23. It was obvious the packers were fielding offers. I mean, its not like the guy they coveted wasn't there at 23, but was at 25. But I guess its possible they had 2 guys in mind and when one went they made the offer.

By that logic, they must have offered for the first overall pick. If the offered for 23, why wouldn't they offer for 21? If they have offered for 21, why wouldn't they have offered for 19? Etc.

There is a point teams think they can move up and there's a player worth it. Maybe they thought it was 23 and offered something to the Packers. Maybe they thought it was 24 or 25 and didn't.

[Patler]

FWIW, an online article last week, said to be based on inside info, stated that the Giants had approached GB for a trade. Packers weren't interested because they could get a player they really wanted, so Giants went to others.

I meant to link the article here last week, because it implied how much GB really wanted Golden. I didn't, now I can't find it. Don't remember who wrote it or how credible it really was.

[Fritz]

FWIW, an online article last week, said to be based on inside info, stated that the Giants had approached GB for a trade. Packers weren't interested because they could get a player they really wanted, so Giants went to others.

I meant to link the article here last week, because it implied how much GB really wanted Golden. I didn't, now I can't find it. Don't remember who wrote it or how credible it really was.

If that is so, then the Packers really did like Golden particularly, or thought the dropoff in talent between 23 and 34 was not worth having the extra third (99th pick) and the '26 third rounder.

Either way, they liked Golden better than the package offered, and the package seemed pretty generous, so . . . they liked The Golden Shower.

May he reign for years over opposing defensive backs . . .

[bobblehead]

By that logic, they must have offered for the first overall pick. If the offered for 23, why wouldn't they offer for 21? If they have offered for 21, why wouldn't they have offered for 19? Etc.

There is a point teams think they can move up and there's a player worth it. Maybe they thought it was 23 and offered something to the Packers. Maybe they thought it was 24 or 25 and didn't.

Now you are just being obtuse. I imagine they did offer a 2nd and two 3rds for 1 overall. /sarc

And honestly, I can imagine they were inquiring at 21 already. I would say it was likely even.

[sharpe1027]

Now you are just being obtuse. I imagine they did offer a 2nd and two 3rds for 1 overall. /sarc

And honestly, I can imagine they were inquiring at 21 already. I would say it was likely even.

No, I'm not. I just showed why you can't know they offered something to the Packers just because they offered to someone else nearby. The logic fails because you could say that for every trade ever made, and it's just not true. Is it possible? Most definitely. Just can't be sure is all.

Trades happen without the team two slots prior having been offered something similar.

[bobblehead]

No, I'm not. I just showed why you can't know they offered something to the Packers just because they offered to someone else nearby. The logic fails because you could say that for every trade ever made, and it's just not true. Is it possible? Most definitely. Just can't be sure is all.

Trades happen without the team two slots prior having been offered something similar.


Again, I never said I KNEW it. Your strawman, not my words. I said I believed it based on reasons that made sense. So if you want to get off your high horse with your strawman argument we can move on. Or you can keep being obtuse.

[sharpe1027]

Again, I never said I KNEW it. Your strawman, not my words. I said I believed it based on reasons that made sense. So if you want to get off your high horse with your strawman argument we can move on. Or you can keep being obtuse.

Now who's being obtuse? Replace "knee" with " have to believe" in my post and we can both move on to a new topic.

[bobblehead]

Now who's being obtuse? Replace "knee" with " have to believe" in my post and we can both move on to a new topic.

I'm assuming you meant "knew or know". I agree, if you change the words that I said then you would be correct....and dishonest.

[run pMc]

So.. was Golden the right pick?

;)

Honestly, when they were up at 23 and I saw who was there I was hoping for Will Johnson or a trade down but figured they'd take Golden.
In hindsight, I'm fine with the pick. Johnson has some scary knee issues -- the rumor I read was that he had some cartilage in one knee put in the bad knee to help jumpstart healing -- yikes.

The trade down offer from Atlanta would have been more appealing to get what could be a top 10 R1 next year, but I think getting a WR with decent hands and runs a 4.29 isn't bad either.

[sharpe1027]

I'm assuming you meant "knew or know". I agree, if you change the words that I said then you would be correct....and dishonest.

I substituted "knew" for the exact words you said. I see almost no substantive difference and my point is relevant either way. Dishonest? Okaaaaay.

[sharpe1027]

So.. was Golden the right pick?

;)

Honestly, when they were up at 23 and I saw who was there I was hoping for Will Johnson or a trade down but figured they'd take Golden.
In hindsight, I'm fine with the pick. Johnson has some scary knee issues -- the rumor I read was that he had some cartilage in one knee put in the bad knee to help jumpstart healing -- yikes.

The trade down offer from Atlanta would have been more appealing to get what could be a top 10 R1 next year, but I think getting a WR with decent hands and runs a 4.29 isn't bad either.

Fine with the pick. At a minimum, this at least shakes things up for the existing guys and elevates the competition.

[bobblehead]

I substituted "knew" for the exact words you said. I see almost no substantive difference and my point is relevant either way. Dishonest? Okaaaaay.

This is old, so I'll drop it after this. "have to believe" is clearly my opinion, not a statement of fact. Knew, as in "knew for fact" is not an opinion. Yes, dishonest. Ok, you're free to have the last word now, I'm done with it.

[sharpe1027]

This is old, so I'll drop it after this. "have to believe" is clearly my opinion, not a statement of fact. Knew, as in "knew for fact" is not an opinion. Yes, dishonest. Ok, you're free to have the last word now, I'm done with it.

I will apologize for being sloppy by saying shorthand for what your point was. My point is remains the same. It's not justified to think the Packers where offered the same just because they where two spots away. I'd bet it happens half the time or less, but neither of us really know. I'm not being dishonest. That's just not the case.

Also, RELAX! It's just a discussion :).

[Bretsky]

Golden was the right pick, although I personally think he is a little on the smaller side and his route running still needs development. He does a really nice job of adjusting to the ball when it is in the air. He has fantastic body control especially catching the ball in tight space and along the sideline. His hands are fantastic and has the ability to make circus type catches. He doesn't let the proximity of defenders interfere with his focus on catching the ball. Most importantly he has speed that is of the elite level. I would like to see him have better burst after catch, it's sort of like he needs to find openings before he can really get going, he might lack some instincts in that department.

Why was he the right pick? I think the tiers at the other need position were still stacked with talented players. Whether that was at defensive tackle, and edge. At positions like corner and especially with Will Johnsons medicals there weren't any players available that warranted the 23rd selection in this draft. I don't think the Packers were going to take an offensive lineman in the first round, but there was a significant run on them earlier in the draft. Golden was the last receiver left in my Tier 1 group of receivers.


I am fine with the logic, and kinda agreee............but wasn't there only one top tier CB avaialble too ?

I thought there were still some very good WR's there in round 2.

[Bretsky]

I would agree the Giants probably offered the same, and I'd have taken it. But hopefully Golden is a Greg Jennings like star and we made the right call

[Fritz]

I would agree the Giants probably offered the same, and I'd have taken it. But hopefully Golden is a Greg Jennings like star and we made the right call

You never know - it would be tempting but clearly Guter liked Golden better than what would’ve been available. You don’t want another Kevin King/Vince Biegel instead of TJ Watt situation.

[Bretsky]

You never know - it would be tempting but clearly Guter liked Golden better than what would’ve been available. You don’t want another Kevin King/Vince Biegel instead of TJ Watt situation.

That only happens when I feel bent over when our GM passed on Badgers................T BUCKLEY over TROY VINCENT .........ROBERT FERGUSON OVER CHRIS CHAMBERS....etc :)))

[run pMc]

Fickell is taking care of that for you bretsky

[Bretsky]

Fickell is taking care of that for you bretsky

That hurt :) I don't think Fickell is as bad as many think. The whole scope of college football has changed and it's terrible for Wisconsin. Christ damaged the program with poor recruiting the last two years (keep in mind these were his recruits as seniors) and hated NIL.

I think it's going to be a learning process for Fickell. His first year he had one of our top recruiting classes ever and one year later they all left because they didn't play and tye ones that showed the most promise got more money elsewhere.

THey are all one year free agents and Wisconsin doens't have the money to offer.

It's like we are the Milwaukee Brewers, but worse because nobody had more than a one year contract.

[run pMc]

Yeah NIL and the transfer portal has turned CFB into a convoluted mess IMO. I don't even watch it anymore, especially now that the Badgers are a mid team. I'm not a Fickell fan, but i do hope he turns it around.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Yeah NIL and the transfer portal has turned CFB into a convoluted mess IMO. I don't even watch it anymore, especially now that the Badgers are a mid team. I'm not a Fickell fan, but i do hope he turns it around.

You enjoy watching universities exploit young uns for millions, perhaps billions, in exchange for the rights of aforementioned uns to earn a worthless a piece of paper?

Wisconsin needs to pony up for them hotshot young uns, especially a hotshot QB. It rakes in plenty of frogskins. And perhaps rich wankers, err, alumni like ole Fosco could donate more frogskins to the program.

[sharpe1027]

You enjoy watching universities exploit young uns for millions, perhaps billions, in exchange for the rights of aforementioned uns to earn a worthless a piece of paper?

Wisconsin needs to pony up for them hotshot young uns, especially a hotshot QB. It rakes in plenty of frogskins. And perhaps rich wankers, err, alumni like ole Fosco could donate more frogskins to the program.

Yeah, the athletes deserve the lions share of compensation, but the current situation is a fucking mess.

[Bretsky]

Yeah NIL and the transfer portal has turned CFB into a convoluted mess IMO. I don't even watch it anymore, especially now that the Badgers are a mid team. I'm not a Fickell fan, but i do hope he turns it around.


I was a 100% sure we needed a change from Chryst. I would have been happy with Leonard. I was even happier with Fickell. Now, I don't know any more to be honest

[Bretsky]

Yeah, the athletes deserve the lions share of compensation, but the current situation is a fucking mess.

THIS

[bobblehead]

Yeah, the athletes deserve the lions share of compensation, but the current situation is a fucking mess.

Disagree slightly. I would say they deserve a large share, but putting together the system isn't pikers work. Those that invested and built the system deserve a lot of the compensation in my book. The problem is that the builders insisted the athletes get NOTHING and like it. As usual the side with the power couldn't help abusing it....now the players have the power and they are abusing it.

edit: It goes along the lines of what I say every time the players insist they deserve an ever increasing share of the pie. They are free to start their own league and get all the revenue...but they don't, because they lack that skill set. They deserve a nice cut, but NOT the lions share. Just my 2 cents worth. Of course the opposite is true as well. The owners can say FU and lock the players out. The biggest problem is the courts got too involved and decided that each team is a business and not the entirety of the NFL which forced a collective bargaining agreement in order to hold a draft and not turn the NFL into an absolutely unwatchable product.

[Bretsky]

Disagree slightly. I would say they deserve a large share, but putting together the system isn't pikers work. Those that invested and built the system deserve a lot of the compensation in my book. The problem is that the builders insisted the athletes get NOTHING and like it. As usual the side with the power couldn't help abusing it....now the players have the power and they are abusing it.

edit: It goes along the lines of what I say every time the players insist they deserve an ever increasing share of the pie. They are free to start their own league and get all the revenue...but they don't, because they lack that skill set. They deserve a nice cut, but NOT the lions share. Just my 2 cents worth. Of course the opposite is true as well. The owners can say FU and lock the players out. The biggest problem is the courts got too involved and decided that each team is a business and not the entirety of the NFL which forced a collective bargaining agreement in order to hold a draft and not turn the NFL into an absolutely unwatchable product.



I know they deserve something, DAMMIT, aren't the majority of kids getting scholarships for a free eduction ???? My kids would take that in a second. I have a daughter who is brilliant...pre med....fighting to get all these individual small scholarship to get out of college after med school with loans under $100,000.

And the shit system is set up so all these athletes are set up on one-year commitments. And they can sign a contract, and BAIL on their school 3 DAYS LATER when another school come s in and breaks every rule (that's not enforced) and signs a player already under contract. And when the NCAA fails to support the contract, they player just switches schools to Miami (WHAT A F'CK BAG PIECE OF SHIT THAT GUY IS) and the NCAA looks the other way

Double Dammit; most of these kids don't make the NBA, or NFL. And now the NCAA's incompetence has led to a completely broken system. Now they just go to the highest bidder, each year.

And the schools that have the most money win. GAME OVER COLLEGE SPORTS

[sharpe1027]

Disagree slightly. I would say they deserve a large share, but putting together the system isn't pikers work. Those that invested and built the system deserve a lot of the compensation in my book. The problem is that the builders insisted the athletes get NOTHING and like it. As usual the side with the power couldn't help abusing it....now the players have the power and they are abusing it.

edit: It goes along the lines of what I say every time the players insist they deserve an ever increasing share of the pie. They are free to start their own league and get all the revenue...but they don't, because they lack that skill set. They deserve a nice cut, but NOT the lions share. Just my 2 cents worth. Of course the opposite is true as well. The owners can say FU and lock the players out. The biggest problem is the courts got too involved and decided that each team is a business and not the entirety of the NFL which forced a collective bargaining agreement in order to hold a draft and not turn the NFL into an absolutely unwatchable product.

The money is mostly coming in the form of advertising rights to the players rather than as a salary from NCAA or the colleges. That should go to the players, IMO.

[texaspackerbacker]

Yeah, all this NIL crap may be annoying on some level, but college sports is gonna continue on in an entertaining way. And while the Badgers may not be the biggest beneficiaries, they certainly will be way above average.

[Bretsky]

Yeah, all this NIL crap may be annoying on some level, but college sports is gonna continue on in an entertaining way. And while the Badgers may not be the biggest beneficiaries, they certainly will be way above average.


They are above average because of the conference they play in.

But among Big Ten Schools, I think UW is on the low end of $$ they have to pay players to come

[bobblehead]

The money is mostly coming in the form of advertising rights to the players rather than as a salary from NCAA or the colleges. That should go to the players, IMO.

Agree with that. The NCAA shouldn't get to use the kids likeness and get paid for it. But a lot of the money is TV contracts, ticket sales, donor dollars etc. Its a mess right now, and a nice agreement could go a long way, but a problem is that the players have a very limited time in the program so an agreement is hard to reach.

[texaspackerbacker]

They are above average because of the conference they play in.

But among Big Ten Schools, I think UW is on the low end of $$ they have to pay players to come

Yet they are way ABOVE average in terms of result in football and basketball (men's) and at the very top in a couple of women's sports. That to me says more bang for the buck/better leadership.

[NewsBruin]

Agree with that. The NCAA shouldn't get to use the kids likeness and get paid for it. But a lot of the money is TV contracts, ticket sales, donor dollars etc. Its a mess right now, and a nice agreement could go a long way, but a problem is that the players have a very limited time in the program so an agreement is hard to reach.

Not to you personally, Bobblehead, but some of these "they shouldn't do X, but they should do it the right way" arguments have always been weird to me and I usually see them as distinctions without a difference.

"No, they should be paid something, but not a huge amout of money."
"No, they shouldn't be paid by schools for playing sports, but by a tax-deductable black hole of megadonors (and those who would like to pretend to be) for 'visiting kids in hospitals' and 'reading copy in PSAs' and coincidentally playing football."

I mean, just pay the players from conference broadcast contracts and call it a day. If they wanna star in commercials and can meet their GPA in their freely-chosen (snort) majors and can work it around their mandated study hours and capped (giggle) practice time, let them do their thing.

[bobblehead]

Not to you personally, Bobblehead, but some of these "they shouldn't do X, but they should do it the right way" arguments have always been weird to me and I usually see them as distinctions without a difference.

"No, they should be paid something, but not a huge amout of money."
"No, they shouldn't be paid by schools for playing sports, but by a tax-deductable black hole of megadonors (and those who would like to pretend to be) for 'visiting kids in hospitals' and 'reading copy in PSAs' and coincidentally playing football."

I mean, just pay the players from conference broadcast contracts and call it a day. If they wanna star in commercials and can meet their GPA in their freely-chosen (snort) majors and can work it around their mandated study hours and capped (giggle) practice time, let them do their thing.

I generally agree with you. With no agreement the free market reigns and it usually is the most efficient outcome. In sports, the problem with "free market" is that it ruins the product which ruins fan interest which ruins the profitability. Its in everyones best interest to find an equitable solution. Thats why the NFLPA signs agreements every year even though the courts have said FREE FOR ALL!!!! A free for all would ruin the product and hurt the bottom line. Would you really want to watch football if there was no draft, no cap and unlimited player movement each year? We would be discussing well over half the roster turning over for most teams and a select few power house teams (that would also turn over fast because the life of an NFL players prime is short.)