With all the "hubbub" about 1st round picks, rules regarding the trading of 1st round picks, and the theory of relativity.... thought it would be both interesting and informative to look at the last 5 drafts, the 1.1 thru 1.10 picks, what teams had the most, are those teams playoff contenders? What positions were consistent busts if any, is there a consistency of position pick that favors a team, and who knows what else. First off, lets look at which teams had the most in the 1.10 and up group over the last 5 drafts.

1. Texans, had a top ten pick in each draft, 5-8-2-10-10 Salty has been owner for all 5, CC/14w 87, DC 88 13w. They currently lead their division at 7-2 In later past on this thread, we find that the Browns acquired most of those picks from the Dolphins.

2. 49ers also had 5 picks, 3-3-3-4-8 Ukrain owner for all 5, has not had more than 4 wins in a season, no playoff finishes. They are currently 4-5, 2nd in their division.

3. No team had 4 picks, the followiing 6 teams had 3 picks in top ten of the last 5 drafts.

Packers 4-5-9 owner Stick, has not made playoffs, 5 wins last season, 0-9 current.

Browns 5-1-6 Warthog, 2 Div Champs & 2 Conf Champs currently 9-0

Seahawks 9-6-1 jmvida, no playoffs, best season 7 wins 88, 1 win 87, current - 0-9

Cowboys 2-7-8 senna, no playoffs, most wins 6, current 3-6

Jags 7-8-5 mramirez, no playoffs, current 2-7

Ravens 4-6-5 pronfl51, no playoffs, current 0-9

Wow! of all the teams that had 3 picks in the top ten over the last 5 seasons, only the Browns have been in the playoffs, consistently and currently undefeated. 3 teams out of 6 are currently winless and 5 out of 6 have not made it into the playoffs over the last 5 seasons. Apparently, having more top ten draft picks does not affect the won/loss records over 80% of the time in Paydirt. So much for the "mortgage".

Teams with 2 top ten picks, last 5 drafts:

Pats (both were 1.1 picks!) 7-2 ..... Eagles 6-3..... Panthers 7-2 .... Bengals 7-2 .... Colts 6=3 .... Vikes 5-4 ... Bucs 4-5 Another WoW! 6 out of 7 are contending for their divisions and playoffs. Bucs might get in there if Coach Norm gets a good run.

Note... the Falcons, who have won 3 of the last 4 LCs and have a better than good shot at their 5th this season, did not have a top ten pick, and will be interesting to see how many 1st round picks they did have. My guess? not many.

So, next I will have a look at the total first round picks by team for the past 5 drafts. This is gettin interesting!

My count may have an error or two, maybe not. Whatever the case, there have been two teams in Paydirt that have had the most first round picks by far in Paydirt. These numbers do not include 1.1 thru 1.10, this is 1.11 thru 1.32

1. Carolina Panthers, 9 picks!! BDog took over team last season, jouameng was easily the best in MFN at acquiring first round picks, and caught a lot of flack for it. The Panthers are currently 7-2 which includes the only win vs the Falcons.

2. Miami Dolphins, 8 picks, right behind jouamengs Panthers!, MVRowner took over the team in the 86 season, Seanito had them for 86, and 5005 had them the previous 5 seasons. They did not make the playoffs in the past 5 seasons, and are currently 3-6. Would be interesting to see which team(s) got the Miami players for in exchange for those picks, from a relatively new owner, less than one years experience. That will be next post on this thread. Point being, a team can be hurt more by giving up good players for first round picks, especially 1.20 on down.

3. Cleveland Browns, 5 picks, Warthog has had the Browns from the beginning of the league, he is one of the best in MFN. Browns are currently 9-0, following two 15-1 seasons and the only team to break the Falcons 4 peat.

4. Tampa Bay Bucs, 4 picks, Coach Norm picked up the team this season, current 4-5. The prev owner was the one who chased 1st round picks.

There were 3 teams who had 3 picks, Titans, Cowboys, and Saints. Those picks were in addition to the picks that those teams had in the 1.1-1.10 group.

5 teams had 2 picks .... Texans, Seahawks, Jags, Eagles, and the Colts.

And there you have the teams with the most over the last 5 drafts.

Hmmm, it seems the Dolphins have been "raped" since MVRowner has taken over the team with little experience/knowledge of the game. Didnt take long for the sharks to go after this bleeding body in the water. Rules or no rules! lol

In order.........

1. Washington Redskins sends:
Robin Kelley (WR) Kelly is now back with Dolphins, apparently trade was reversed?

Miami Dolphins sends:
Anthony Jackson (C)
1991 Round 2 (Miami Dolphins)

2. Carolina Panthers sends:
1990 Round 3 Selection 29
1990 Round 6 Selection 27
1991 Round 6
1992 Round 3

Miami Dolphins sends:
Charles Broadnax (WR)
1992 Round 7 (Miami Dolphins) Note: There were a lot of comments and concern on this one. Broadnax is currently WR3 and FB4. for the Panthers.

3.
Cleveland Browns sends:
Corey Cortez (WLB)
Chad Kreger (WR)
1989 Round 1 Selection 31

Miami Dolphins sends:
1989 Round 1 Selection 1 (Miami Dolphins) there goes a high first rounder! for a bottom 1st, a 10 yr LB, and a WR with 74 speed. Shame on you Salty! Enjoy the comments about this trade! LOL

I can say that MVRowner was not at fault here, other than having a lack of game knowledge and experience, he's a good kid in college, so does not have 3 hours or more to waste on this game every day, lol.

4. Houston Texans sends:
1989 Round 1 Selection 2

Miami Dolphins sends:
1989 Round 1 Selection 10 (New Orleans Saints)
1990 Round 1 (Miami Dolphins)
1991 Round 1 (Miami Dolphins)

WOW! Texans/Salty was like a serial rapist on the two trades with Miami, lol. Brutal. So, can see why the major sensitivity to a team trading its first rounders, however, it still comes down to whether or not the 1st round pick is receiving good value, which was not the case here. This type of trade is what I was referring to when I made my explanation in the trade with the Saints, and why the rule that I was not aware of at the time, was implemented but apparently not enforced from what I can see, tell me if Im wrong and show me a reversed trade due to that rule other than my most recent one with the Saints/ricmoney.

Anyway, the topic is draft analysis, and it diverged to trade review, so back to the original subject and question of interest. Why did only one team with five 1.1 to 1.10 picks consistently win and contend for the LC? and why did only one team out of 6 with 3 picks do the same?, Next ..... lets look at the picks!

To answer your questions, lack of game planning know how and/or experience in part, IMO. Everyone strives for talent (which is why there is a tremendous number of trades compared to RL), but few know how to use it.

For example, how many GMs use the override function, which is great for giving GMs an opportunity to exploit their roster strengths and resting players so that they are fresh enough to be on the field when you want them to be? It also gives a GM a say in when the second (and third) string players step onto the field. How many GMs use the scouting tools to actually tweek their game plan each game?

To be sure, not everyone has the time to do much more than tinker with their roster. But for a GM to be consistently successful requires using at least some of the available tools the game provides. Generally speaking, simply mastering the art of drafting and trading won't make a GM successful against skilled game planners. Which I think accounts for some of the disparity between accumulating good players through the draft and success on the field.

Well said jgcruz, I apriciate your well chosen words and thoughtful contribution.......................MM

Ah, so close. Made the comments that much more enjoyable.
Best of luck :D