A number of reports in the week leading up to the NFL Draft had suggested franchises would consider 'lesser' offers involving future picks on draft night, essentially trading better capital in this year's draft for more surety in the next.
Ultimately, NFL franchises largely held firm with 2020 picks across Friday, Saturday and Sunday's seven-round draft. However, would they have done so if there hadn't been a college football season precede it?
Thinking among clubs back home is perhaps not. It's why planning measures among AFL recruiters are already being drafted and tentatively thought about.
It has led to AFL clubs weighing up whether the risk of trading down into future drafts holds more value than staying put with better picks this year. That is due to clubs selecting prospects with less evidence of player improvement this season.
It has already reached the point where clubs are identifying rival teams who could potentially be looking to move between 2020 and 2021 drafts depending on their list positions.
One recruiter contacted by AFL.com.au mentioned teams in the premiership window potentially trying to profit from the situation by trading out of this year's draft for more capital next season.
Another noted that younger teams could also benefit, should they back in their recruiting staff in an otherwise uncertain draft year, by trading into this year's pool and getting more value.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/392072/why-afl-recruiters-eagerly-watched-the-nfl-draft
