Interesting thought on if you think the price of JJ was too high...

[TdotFalcon]

I never thought of it this way....Gil is a smart man!

david

Was the price the falcons payed for jones too much, and will it make them genuine super bowl contenders?

Gil Brandt, NFL.com

David, I think the price was probably a little too high. But if you target a player you think can put you over the top, then it's not too high. And I can see Julio Jones being a player that can put the Falcons over the top.

And one note about the first-round pick they gave up next year. That's okay, if the team looks at it as having the extra money to spend on free agency. so when they don't have to pay a first-round pick in 2012, they can use that cash on a veteran.

[ConnFalcon]

Nice post.

Smart man Gil, smart man.

[Master Exploder]

I wouldn't be surprised if we made an extremely bold move in FA this year.

[kierstendawg]

That is exactly the way things are setting up, that is why I think it is laughable when people criticize the move we made for Jones. Which by the way, is doing nothing but giving TD extra motivation to go make a huge splash. Again, we will have quite a few expendable players at the end of next year to build the 2012 draft if it looks like a strong draft by that time.

[HouTexFalcon]

I would love it if we can sign Aso and have Dunta blitzing from the nickel. After years of watching him do this in Houston, I will tell you this dude is an effin missle we arrives.( a la Desean Jackson). Besides, whatever DE we pick up will not be better than the rotational guys we already have.

[Rev_Hal]

Gil is one of the best in the biz.

[Farmer2]

That is a pretty obvious point that never crossed my mind. I'm liking the trade more and more every day.

[JOEinPHX]

so when they don't have to pay a first-round pick in 2012, they can use that cash on a veteran.

I'm no math whiz, but I gather this means the contract of what would have been a #27 pick this year, plus the contract of what would have been a similar pick next year, will far outweigh the contract Julio Jones is about to get.

C'mon guys, think things through.

[Russdogg]

for real, how many picks FAIL vs ACTUALLY staying on the team more than a VET would???

Quit Crying, Our Offense is bout to unload!

[rootee]

The value of any potential free agent will be severely diminished this year due to the lock-out. I don't predict any end to this mess until deep into the summer. If they use the "6" year rule, the pool possible of free agents choices will be much fewer.

[pzummo]

I want to add two points, with the second being much more significant and I haven't seen anybody mention it.

1. I know this has been said, but I'll say it again. According to the draft value chart, we did not pay too much. The point value we gave up was about 180 pts less than the point value of the 6th pick. Next years picks are valued at a round later than what is offered.

2. This has not been said, but it's a fact that I think is being snubbed tremendously. This was the perfect year to trade up. The top picks have more value this season than any past season. Why? Because when the lockout is over and the new CBA is agreed upon, it will have a rookie cap limiting how much the top picks will be able to make. They will still get paid, but not on the scale of top tier veteran free agents. In past years, a top pick's value was diminished because they were given the same as a top FA at that position. This is the first year that will not be the case and that adds value to the top draft choices. How much it adds is yet to be known.