Let’s play NFL GM for a moment, shall we? Would a bona fide No. 1 receiver in his prime be worth first and third round compensation, plus the primo dollars it would take to sign him to a long-term deal? Because that’s the question many general managers face this offseason when it comes to Cowboys’ receiver Miles Austin.

Thus far, Dallas has been adamant about not wanting to use a franchise tag on Austin (a restricted free agent) this offseason. What they’ll probably wind up doing is placing a $3.168 million tender on him, which means they have first right to match any offer made by another team. If another team offers more money and the Cowboys don’t match it, then Dallas is awarded a first and a third round pick as compensation.

Legit No. 1 receivers that are 25-years-old aren’t easy to find. That’s why a team might be inclined to part with two draft picks in order to acquire Austin and make him their franchise receiver. After all, Austin appears to be a sure thing and as we all know, there is no guarantee that prospects (no matter how high they’re selected) will pan out.

But if I could step into the GM shoes for a moment, I think it’s ridiculous to give up a first and third rounder to acquire a receiver – no matter how good of a player he is. Teams that have had consistent success often build from the inside out, meaning after they settle their quarterback need, the offensive and defensive lines take priority over the skill players. I’m not downgrading the value of a No. 1 receiver, but they wouldn’t be a priority over other positions on my team.

While I’m fully aware that giving up a seemingly sure thing in Austin could net me two busts in the draft, I would still view the situation as acquiring two potential starters for one No. 1 receiver. If those draft picks pan out, then I can address immediate needs at two areas, preferably in the trenches or on defense.

Of course, the problem with my reasoning is that I would still need to find a receiver. In the specific case of the Cowboys, they would be left with Roy Williams as their No. 1 receiver, meaning they would probably have to use one of the two draft picks that they acquired to fill their need at wideout. In that case, why don’t they just hang onto Austin and invest in him long term since he’s already proven himself?

Chances are, Austin isn’t going anywhere. He was the Cowboys’ offensive MVP last season and he’s far and away their best playmaker. He’ll probably end up right back in Dallas next season and eventually, the Cowboys will sign him to a long-term deal. But it’s always fun to play NFL GM and this will be an interesting storyline throughout the offseason.

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]]> https://www.scoresreport.com/2010/02/18/is-miles-austin-worth-two-draft-picks/feed/ 2 https://www.scoresreport.com/2010/02/16/will-the-cowboys-franchise-miles-austin/ Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:15:40 +0000 https://www.scoresreport.com/?p=34706

After he hauled in 81 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns in only nine starts last season, setting receiver Miles Austin up with a new contract moved to the top of the Cowboys’ offseason to-do list. But according to ESPNDallas.com, the Cowboys might not place the franchise tag on Austin (who is a restricted free agent) this offseason.

The Cowboys have until February 25 to decide whether or not to apply the franchise tag to Austin and pay him roughly $9.5 million for 2010. If they use the tag, they can still work out a long-term deal for the 25-year-old receiver, which would make the most sense given that he became the team’s offensive MVP last year.

If they place a first and third round tender on Austin, the Cowboys will pay him $3.168 million in 2010, assuming that another team isn’t willing to pay that kind of compensation for the receiver. Either way, it’s a safe bet that Austin isn’t going anywhere. He was Dallas’ most consistent receiver last year and he has all the tools to become a legit No. 1 receiver for years to come.

With the threat of a lockout coming in 2011, it might be wise for them just to place the franchise tag on him and worry about coming together on a long-term deal after the new CBA deal is struck (assuming one is struck, that is). That said, players want financial security and the only way to achieve that is by signing a long-term deal with a team. But thus far, the Cowboys haven’t offered one.

Given that Roy Williams made roughly $9 million to catch less than half the balls Austin did for less than half the yards, it’s only fair that Austin be paid as the team’s top wide out. But the Cowboys have options and it’ll be interesting to see what they inevitably decide to do with Austin.

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