If you were a top NFL prospect?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Would you rather be drafted #1 overall or #32?

Being drafted #1 gets you the most money, but you play for a team that sucks.  Being drafted 32 is less money, but you are playing on a winning team.

(For the purposes of this question assume trades don't exist)

[Brian Fein]

I'd wanna go around 10 - team that could turn around quickly while still getting top-10 money.

Between your choices, I'd wanna go 32, because it would give me a chance to learn from the best.  But, I'm not a greedy a-hole.

Also, though, drafted #1 you're gonna play THIS YEAR while drafted #32, you might see the bench for year 1.

[Phishfan]

With only these two choices, #32. It is a great honor to go #1, but think about how many flop and how many organizations keep drafting in those top positions and never turn the team around. I'd rather have a career with a greater likelihood of team success than celebrate that one night achievement.

[Spider-Dan]

I recognize that #31 is not #32, but if the premise is really good team vs. really bad team, if you had been drafted #31 by the 49ers* I believe you just finished your rookie deal on a team that's largely been terrible since you were drafted.


*SF actually traded the #31 pick in 2013 to DAL, but you get the point

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

^^^^ Did you miss my last sentence?  Assume trades don't exist. 

But basically the question was would you rather take less money and play for a better team.  What prompted this was two articles 1 speculation that Watson doesn't want the Browns to draft him and 2. Long saying when he got cut by the Rams his first priority was finding a team that gave him the best chance at a ring rather than the most money.

[Spider-Dan]

If that's the case, then yeah: getting drafted by a team that made it deep into the playoffs is no guarantee that you'll continue to make it there.

If you're asking me if I'd rather get drafted by a team with a first-ballot HOF QB, then sure, I would.  But other than that, it seems like there are quite a few players - particularly QBs - that went early to teams that have consistently been competitive: Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Andrew Luck come to mind.

[DaLittle B]

Based on these two articles
http://www.ibtimes.com/nfl-draft-2016-contracts-projected-salaries-all-first-round-picks-2361279
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/05/nfl_draft_2015_how_much_each_f.html

#1 overall,I feel with my Luck I'd be drafted and go all Yatil Green.Taking into account the average length of and NFL career 3-4 yrs,I might only get 1 contract...

[CF DolFan]

Based on these two articles
http://www.ibtimes.com/nfl-draft-2016-contracts-projected-salaries-all-first-round-picks-2361279
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/05/nfl_draft_2015_how_much_each_f.html

#1 overall,I feel with my Luck I'd be drafted and go all Yatil Green.Taking into account the average length of and NFL career 3-4 yrs,I might only get 1 contract...

Spoken like a former player. And even if you pan out it can all be over in one quick play. #1 for sure.

[Pappy13]

I'm going #1 overall. The team with the 1st draft choice isn't necessarily a bad team. The team with the 1st draft pick might be playing for the Superbowl in a couple years, you never know and if not, then if you are good enough after your rookie contract, you might be able to go play for a top contender. Going to the defending champs (assuming the #32 pick is theirs) is no guarantee they are going back either.