An Easy Fix For The NFL Draft

To many it would seem that the NFL draft needs some adjustment, if not a full reworking based on their assumption that first-round picks are making too much money. Alex Smith, JaMarcus Russell, and Matthew Stafford all became instant millionaires without proving themselves in the NFL, and the former two at this point in their careers look like busts and wastes of money.   To the 49’ers, Alex Smith appears to be what economists call a sunk cost (I’m sure you can figure that one out from context).   However, while Alex Smith exists for the ‘Niners, Mario Williams exists for the Texans (as does David Carr, as I’m sure they’d remind you). Williams clearly was a fine investment for the Texans, while Smith, was, well, a sunk cost.   So, what limiting rookie salaries does is decrease the team’s risk associated with drafting a player. That’s right, at issue is that the most profitable sports organizations in the world feel there&rsquo...