Mahomes was Almost a Cardinal

[football karma]

It was close but I think that Rosen was #1 on this board.

he didnt say that -- and usually he isnt shy about saying stuff like that post draft

two major mistakes in this draft:

Arians was telling everyone who would listen that the Cards would look at QBs

after doing so: to assume nobody would trade up when the QBs you wanted fell into trade up range was bad

 

[PACardsFan]

he didnt say that -- and usually he isnt shy about saying stuff like that post draft

two major mistakes in this draft:

Arians was telling everyone who would listen that the Cards would look at QBs

after doing so: to assume nobody would trade up when the QBs you wanted fell into trade up range was bad

Agree 100%. Sometimes BA’s mouth was his own worst enemy.

 

[Solar7]

I've long insisted that the price was too high to move up 1-3 picks for either Watson or Mahomes, and we got stuck between a rock and a hard place. We just couldn't offer up a competitive offer to move 1-3 picks when other teams were offering first rounders (and more).

It's very simple that teams are going to look at the offer of a 3rd rounder with a competitive team vs. a 1st round pick, and almost always go for that additional first.

Especially because that year, neither of these QBs were highly regarded (at least in the media). There was plenty of talk that they might slide into the second.

 

[DVontel]

I've long insisted that the price was too high to move up 1-3 picks for either Watson or Mahomes, and we got stuck between a rock and a hard place. We just couldn't offer up a competitive offer to move 1-3 picks when other teams were offering first rounders (and more).

It's very simple that teams are going to look at the offer of a 3rd rounder with a competitive team vs. a 1st round pick, and almost always go for that additional first.

Especially because that year, neither of these QBs were highly regarded (at least in the media). There was plenty of talk that they might slide into the second.

Nah, you just overvalue draft picks.

 

[daves]

I've long insisted that the price was too high to move up 1-3 picks for either Watson or Mahomes, and we got stuck between a rock and a hard place. We just couldn't offer up a competitive offer to move 1-3 picks when other teams were offering first rounders (and more).

It's very simple that teams are going to look at the offer of a 3rd rounder with a competitive team vs. a 1st round pick, and almost always go for that additional first.

Especially because that year, neither of these QBs were highly regarded (at least in the media). There was plenty of talk that they might slide into the second.

I was with ya there, but Odegard's tweet explicitly says, "rumor on the streets was that they could've gotten it done for No. 13 and a 3rd-round pick." If he's right... ouch.

Of course, had the Cardinals made the trade and moved up to get Mahomes, plenty of people would've said Keim was an idiot for giving up a 3rd, because no one else ahead of them needed a QB, and he should've just waited for the draft to fall to him. Knowing whether to give up draft capital to move up and get a guy, or wait for him to fall to you is quite the tricky art, and the Cards have succeeded many times in letting players that they wanted fall to them. But, Obviously in hindsight, if a 3rd round pick would've got it done, Keim blew it on this occasion.

...dave

 

[Solar7]

Of course, had the Cardinals made the trade and moved up to get Mahomes, plenty of people would've said Keim was an idiot for giving up a 3rd, because no one else ahead of them needed a QB, and he should've just waited for the draft to fall to him.

Yep. That's the risk. Obviously it's a big deal because Watson and Mahomes are more or less superstars, but replace that sentiment with Mitch Trubisky, and we'd be ripping the guy for moving 1-3 spots and giving up a high pick for a bad QB when we were a "win now" team.

 

[daves]

Yep. That's the risk. Obviously it's a big deal because Watson and Mahomes are more or less superstars, but replace that sentiment with Mitch Trubisky, and we'd be ripping the guy for moving 1-3 spots and giving up a high pick for a bad QB when we were a "win now" team.

Exactly. Easy to see in hindsight that Keim played it wrong. And some people may have been jumping on the table beforehand. But in the moment, given the information available at the time, it was probably a tough call either way. Keim would've looked like a genius had he stayed put and got Mahomes. (Or maybe people would just say he got lucky.)

...dave

 

[Snakester]

I wanted Mahomes and just knew we were going to get him. I liked Mayfield and Allen. Hated Lamar. Thought he would never be a good QB. Never thought of Rosen at all because everyone was sure he was top five. Never bothered to look at any game film on him at all.