Good post Cardiac,
After some of Ed's tirade, I did a little more checking, just to be sure.
The motivation of each member to the "deal" is the primary driving force for what route the negotiations are going to take place.
Sitting at both 17 & 18 New Orleans had a great position.
They could sit tight and keep them ....no problem at all. Although they did not seem to be showing any particular need or direction they HAD to go. They could also sit back a entertain offers, but controlled the situation simply because they sat in the driver's seat and were not desperately trying to move.
They could afford to be demanding.
Meanwhile the Cards are negotiating from a weaker position because it is THEY who want the deal done.
In the Case of the Bears and the Jets. It was apparently the Jets who were more eager to move up, that was the primary driving factor. So here the Bears had the controlling position.
I still haven't got the details confirmed, but this is what I have been able to piece together so far.....
"On the eve of the NFL Draft, the Jets traded their two first-round picks -- the 13th and 22nd selections -- and a conditional draft pick to the Chicago Bears for the fourth overall pick today. The conditional pick is believed to be a second-day selection tomorrow, in rounds four through seven, and contingent upon which player the Jets select in the first round."
It was "supposed" that the conditional would be something from the second day, rounds 4-7, but I didn't see anything. So to date, that "conditional" is still a mystery...and if real...could indeed alter the equation.
Summary = Jets trade thheir 2 firsts, a 4th, and a conditional to move up to Chicago's first.
Net result = Bears drop 9 slots for their first pick, add another 1st round pick at 22, add a 4th round pick, and a conditional pick
Jets...Move up 9 with their first pick, give up a 1st round, a 4th, and a conditional.
. Just realiized....the 4th round pick (#116) WAS the conditional
Jets wanted the deal, they paid
Cards wanted the deal, they paid.
Each trade has to be evaluated on its own individual merit, and to what each team is acquiring or losing in the deal.
I see nothing inherantly wrong in the basic deal with the Saints.
If Graves/ or whomever, is to be criticized, I'd say it be for how they handled things AFTER that, once they say how things were turning