Mario Trade Idea

[HPF Bob]

spun off from the draft needs thread...

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Another option is to franchise Mario and then trade him for players/picks. Barwin/Reed were outstanding replacements and Mario isn't a huge upgrade over that for what he will cost.

Here's an idea. Let's send Mario to the Redskins for their #1 (sixth overall) and Laron Landry, Mario and Orakpo certainly give the Skins two pass-rushing threats and the Skins seem to always be in a "spend money today" sort of mode with Snyder.

Landry gives us a top-notch safety to help shore up the secondary and the #1 can be used in a lot of ways or trade down if we want (particularly if RG3 is still on the board and some GM has the hots for him). We still keep #27 so we get instant flexibility to move up or down the board.

DC is close enough to NC for Mario to "go home" and Landry is a Louisiana guy so he's going home as well.

Some might say the asking price is too high for a guy with six years of experience but franchise QBs and LTs have been traded for a pair of #1s so I don't think the price of a #1 and a veteran safety is asking too much.

The only major roadblock I see is if Shanahan is lusting after RG3 himself. Then he'll surely keep the pick or trade up to make sure he gets him. Shanny likes mobile quarterbacks but I'm not sure Griffin fits the mold he wants.

[jcp]

I actually like that trade idea... particularly if it turned into Blackmon at WR. I'm concerned age is starting to sneak up on AJ with the tick up in injuries and having a stud #2 to groom behind AJ seems wise to me. Don't think he'll be there at 6 though and I'd hate to give up the 27 too. We would need to replace Mario with another Brooks Reed/Conner Barwin type OLB and that might be the place to do it...also could use another OL.

I was surprised how well the defense functioned w/o Mario and we could use that crazy money elsewhere. I do like him more than most but there is some good sense in leveraging his trade value now.

[Warren]

I like the idea too, but I don't think the Redskins would be interested in Mario since they drafted Ryan Kerrigan in the first round to play that spot and they're happy with him (7.5 sacks, 4 FF, Int., TD). Mario would be an upgrade but not enough to pay such a big price for him.

You mentioned letting Mario "go home" -- what about the Panthers? They had a productive offense that should get better as Newton gets more experience but a bad defense with little pass rush.

I heard somewhere that the new CBA says that you can't franchise a guy with the intent of trading him, but I skimmed through it and couldn't find that. You can't trade a player's franchise rights but that can be worked around.

[popanot]

The Skins D was halfway decent last year and I don't see them giving up that high of a pick PLUS weakening their secondary. However, if they were interested, I wouldn't mind Landry, their #2 and their 2013 #1. Maybe we swap #2's if that will get it over the top.

I do like Warren's suggestion of the Panthers though. I think that's a good match for what they need and they're in a draft slot where Mario would be good value for them. I think I'd like a little more than just their #1 though. Especially since Mario was taken #1 overall and has proven to be a really good player. Maybe their 2012 #1 and a 2012 #3 - or a 2013 #2.

[popanot]

Teams I see in the 1st round that could use Mario are:

CLE - They have 2 #1's (#4 and #22). The first is pretty high, but they might be willing to deal for Mario in a package deal if both RG3 and Blackmon are off the board. Blackmon, I would think, would be our target up that high, so if he's gone, why trade up? Their 2nd #1 is right in that Kendall Wright area, and I'd be on the horn with them in a heartbeat if Wright is available there (I'd call whether the trade involved Mario or not). However, #22 is a pretty low pick for Mario so they'd have to kick in some extra picks or do a pick swap in the later rounds (or both).

MIA (#9) - This is good value slot for both teams. Floyd might be there, but it might be a little high for picking Wright (personally, I like Wright better than Floyd for the Texans).

BUF (#10) - Their D was atrocious. Again, Floyd might be there, but it might be a little high for Wright.

SEA - (#12) - A young, up-and-coming D that could use a stud DE. An ideal Mario trade up slot for both teams. Mario's a good value for them and I probably wouldn't have a problem pulling the trigger on Wright here.

AZ - (#13) - Same reasoning as above.

Others: NYJ, CIN, SD, NE - Only problem here is they're all AFC teams and are primary playoff competition.

Obviously the lower you get in the round the more the other team will have to kick in. I'd definitely be shopping Mario, though. Love the guy, but his trade value to us is higher than his player value right now.

[cadams]

multiple pcis for mario would be awesome, but i don't see anyone giving up more than one pick for him this year.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Warren

I heard somewhere that the new CBA says that you can't franchise a guy with the intent of trading him, but I skimmed through it and couldn't find that. You can't trade a player's franchise rights but that can be worked around.

I asked LZ about this, and he said they would have to "prove" intent. Easier said than done, so trading should not be out of the question, but the team likely will have to show the ability to live with the tag if the trade falls thru.