New use for #1 pick...or perhaps a trade?

[dryheat44]

From PFT:

With the Giants holding the ability to squat on Cruz for one more year via the rules of restricted free agency, Cruz has two choices: (1) play for the inevitable one-year first-round tender he’ll be receiving (at roughly $2.9 million); or (2) not accept the offer and stay away from offseason workouts and preseason and training camp and possibly up to 10 weeks of the regular season.

There’s a third option, if any other team is willing to fashion an offer sheet and part with a first-round pick if the Giants opt not to match.

I think it's clear that Cruz is worth the 29th pick in the draft to the Patriots, especially if he comes in cheaper than Welker to sign. He's much younger, and can play on the outside as well as the slot.

Speaking of Welker, what if Belichick worked out a deal with Reese, where instead of signing him to an offer sheet, he would trade a 2nd round pick to the Giants for Cruz? The Giants have a lot of young receivers that picked up some slack last year when injuries hit, Hixon, Randle, Barden, and I could see them going for this. Even if he's not a true #1, wouldn't Cruz make more sense than drafting a WR in the 2nd round, as many of us think should happen?

So let's say that the Patriots use the legal tampering window to determine that Cruz will sign a 4-year deal, 6 million signing bonus and annual salaries at 6.5, 7, 7.5, & 8. Would you be on board with sending #59 to the Giants for Cruz and their 7th?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

From PFT:

With the Giants holding the ability to squat on Cruz for one more year via the rules of restricted free agency, Cruz has two choices: (1) play for the inevitable one-year first-round tender he’ll be receiving (at roughly $2.9 million); or (2) not accept the offer and stay away from offseason workouts and preseason and training camp and possibly up to 10 weeks of the regular season.

There’s a third option, if any other team is willing to fashion an offer sheet and part with a first-round pick if the Giants opt not to match.

I think it's clear that Cruz is worth the 29th pick in the draft to the Patriots, especially if he comes in cheaper than Welker to sign. He's much younger, and can play on the outside as well as the slot.

Speaking of Welker, what if Belichick worked out a deal with Reese, where instead of signing him to an offer sheet, he would trade a 2nd round pick to the Giants for Cruz? The Giants have a lot of young receivers that picked up some slack last year when injuries hit, Hixon, Randle, Barden, and I could see them going for this. Even if he's not a true #1, wouldn't Cruz make more sense than drafting a WR in the 2nd round, as many of us think should happen?

So let's say that the Patriots use the legal tampering window to determine that Cruz will sign a 4-year deal, 6 million signing bonus and annual salaries at 6.5, 7, 7.5, & 8. Would you be on board with sending #59 to the Giants for Cruz and their 7th?

Not sure what you envision happening here, but at that money AND the draft pick, I'd tend to say "no."

 

[BadMoFo]

From PFT:

With the Giants holding the ability to squat on Cruz for one more year via the rules of restricted free agency, Cruz has two choices: (1) play for the inevitable one-year first-round tender he’ll be receiving (at roughly $2.9 million); or (2) not accept the offer and stay away from offseason workouts and preseason and training camp and possibly up to 10 weeks of the regular season.

There’s a third option, if any other team is willing to fashion an offer sheet and part with a first-round pick if the Giants opt not to match.

I think it's clear that Cruz is worth the 29th pick in the draft to the Patriots, especially if he comes in cheaper than Welker to sign. He's much younger, and can play on the outside as well as the slot.

Speaking of Welker, what if Belichick worked out a deal with Reese, where instead of signing him to an offer sheet, he would trade a 2nd round pick to the Giants for Cruz? The Giants have a lot of young receivers that picked up some slack last year when injuries hit, Hixon, Randle, Barden, and I could see them going for this. Even if he's not a true #1, wouldn't Cruz make more sense than drafting a WR in the 2nd round, as many of us think should happen?

So let's say that the Patriots use the legal tampering window to determine that Cruz will sign a 4-year deal, 6 million signing bonus and annual salaries at 6.5, 7, 7.5, & 8. Would you be on board with sending #59 to the Giants for Cruz and their 7th?

Of course, but it would never happen.

 

[dryheat44]

Of course, but it would never happen.

Because Cruz wouldn't settle for that contract, BB wouldn't take the deal, or Reese wouldn't take the deal?

 

[everlong]

Because Cruz wouldn't settle for that contract, BB wouldn't take the deal, or Reese wouldn't take the deal?

All of the above.

 

[Marqui]

There's almost no player who's worth a massive long-term contract + 1st round pick.