Draft conspiracy (1 Viewer)

[mjohnell]

I don't know why I thought of this but here goes.

Do you think a player has ever intentionally underperformed at the combine in order to lower his draft stock and play for a contender? You hear about veteran guys taking pay cuts all the time to play for a contender. Do young guys consider this too or is it always about the money? Thoughts?

 

[AnonymousBob]

It wouldn't surprise me if it's happened before but I doubt it's a regular thing. Veterans have made their money - college kids may have scraped together some spending money (Bush) but the NFL is their first major jackpot. I really doubt many kids have deliberately lost out on millions when they've never had that much coin.

Let's face it - Randy Moss can pass up on a bigger payday because at a certain point, an extra five million or so isn't that big a deal. He's going to live his life however he wants. A fresh face kid out of school? I don't care how well they did in college, a few million in their eyes is a massive difference.

 

[zadok]

There are "worst to first" teams every year. I say intentionally lowering one'e draft stock and consequently losing tens of millions of dollars has never happened.

 

[Jason Wood]

In all honesty, I can't imagine a scenario where this would transpire. 1) These guys are competitors through and through. If they're not fired up to do their best at the Combine, how likely is it they can give it their all to win major playing time on an NFL team against proven veterans? 2) The vast majority of the guys coming into the league aren't going to pass up guaranteed money. They know full well how dangerous football can be, and that one injury could forever impede future earnings power. To pass up millions (or hundreds of thousands depending) on a draft day gambit? 3) Perhaps most importantly, there's no way shanking at the combine can really help you play for a "contender." With 7 rounds and teams moving up and down each round, you just never know where you'll land. New England and the Giants are just as likely to trade away their late 1st rounders this year as they are to draft a guy that might have fallen on a bad combine performance.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

In all honesty, I can't imagine a scenario where this would transpire. 1) These guys are competitors through and through. If they're not fired up to do their best at the Combine, how likely is it they can give it their all to win major playing time on an NFL team against proven veterans? 2) The vast majority of the guys coming into the league aren't going to pass up guaranteed money. They know full well how dangerous football can be, and that one injury could forever impede future earnings power. To pass up millions (or hundreds of thousands depending) on a draft day gambit? 3) Perhaps most importantly, there's no way shanking at the combine can really help you play for a "contender." With 7 rounds and teams moving up and down each round, you just never know where you'll land. New England and the Giants are just as likely to trade away their late 1st rounders this year as they are to draft a guy that might have fallen on a bad combine performance.

wisdom from Woodrow, especially #2. That signing bonus from your first contract may be the biggest check you ever see, and it's hard to imagine a player intentionally decreasing it.

 

[lord_helmet]

How would you make sure you don't overdo it ? Major bummer to tank the combine only to be drafted by a crap team in a later round. Or do you suggest college players would then have an agreement in place with a contender team before the draft ?

Seems far fetched to me, but who knows.

ETA: Look up "reaches" that turned out to be steals, if you see a pattern report back.

 

[mjohnell]

I agree and think it most likely has never happened before.

Here is another layer, however. What if someone associated with a team asks a player to tank the combine? This person says we can't sign you for the huge contract you would have gotten but #1 fan, Mr. Booster, will take care of you. Could this scenario happen?

 

[AnonymousBob]

I agree and think it most likely has never happened before.Here is another layer, however. What if someone associated with a team asks a player to tank the combine? This person says we can't sign you for the huge contract you would have gotten but #1 fan, Mr. Booster, will take care of you. Could this scenario happen?

How else do you think the Patriots ended up with Brady in round 5 or so? They've been cheating for years!

 

[JAA]

there is 1 pick difference from 1.32 to 2.01

 

[arlingtonpark27]

So someone tanks intentionally to drop in the draft. What if they tank so far they aren't drafted? If I could be drafted with guaranteed money, why I would tank just to go to a team later in the draft or after the draft where I could win. I'd take the money now and worry about winning when my contract expires and I have some financial security.

 

[Jason Wood]

there is 1 pick difference from 1.32 to 2.01

Exactly...that gets to my Point 3 in my reply above. It takes very little to move up from 2.01 or 2.02 into the 1.32 spot; and that obviously would put a player who "tanks" right back in the position of playing for a bad team. Just makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[GregR_2]

In all honesty, I can't imagine a scenario where this would transpire. 1) These guys are competitors through and through. If they're not fired up to do their best at the Combine, how likely is it they can give it their all to win major playing time on an NFL team against proven veterans? 2) The vast majority of the guys coming into the league aren't going to pass up guaranteed money. They know full well how dangerous football can be, and that one injury could forever impede future earnings power. To pass up millions (or hundreds of thousands depending) on a draft day gambit? 3) Perhaps most importantly, there's no way shanking at the combine can really help you play for a "contender." With 7 rounds and teams moving up and down each round, you just never know where you'll land. New England and the Giants are just as likely to trade away their late 1st rounders this year as they are to draft a guy that might have fallen on a bad combine performance.

I don't think New England will be trading away their late 1st rounder this year.

 

[Jason Wood]

In all honesty, I can't imagine a scenario where this would transpire. 1) These guys are competitors through and through. If they're not fired up to do their best at the Combine, how likely is it they can give it their all to win major playing time on an NFL team against proven veterans? 2) The vast majority of the guys coming into the league aren't going to pass up guaranteed money. They know full well how dangerous football can be, and that one injury could forever impede future earnings power. To pass up millions (or hundreds of thousands depending) on a draft day gambit? 3) Perhaps most importantly, there's no way shanking at the combine can really help you play for a "contender." With 7 rounds and teams moving up and down each round, you just never know where you'll land. New England and the Giants are just as likely to trade away their late 1st rounders this year as they are to draft a guy that might have fallen on a bad combine performance.

I don't think New England will be trading away their late 1st rounder this year.

Agreed. You got my point though

 

[FavreCo]

There are "worst to first" teams every year. I say intentionally lowering one'e draft stock and consequently losing tens of millions of dollars has never happened.

Exactly since in a blink of your eye, your career can be over. To play for less and hope to survive and thrive enough by playing for a well run team, thus cashing in later, would in fact be nuts.

 

[WhoDat]

Given the giagantic, financial shelves at certain points/picks in the draft, I doubt this has ever happened.

 

[CravenM]

I think that's what Brady Quinn did last year

 

[trader jake]

Um, no.

 

[Demons]

Yes, and the guy had a 1 on the Wonderlic, was paranoid schizophrenic and was hearing voices the day he decided to tank his performance.