That said, this year is looking a bit different thanks to the amount of talent in the draft. It seems that teams think they can get the same caliber player in the late teens or twenties as they can in the back half of the top 10. Mike Mayock of the NFL Network has suggested that "every team in the top 10 is looking to trade out. . . . I've never seen a situation quite like this. And the theory is, everybody knows we're upside down with this draft. The rookies are getting paid way too much money proportionate to their value. So, teams are scared to death to miss in the top 10."

Mayock told the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat that it all goes back to "simple economics." In fact, the amount of talent in the draft has meant that teams throw that old draft chart "completely out the window." So, can my Cincinnati Bengals talk someone into taking that sixth pick off their hands? It seems very unlikely, especially with the compensation the team would expect.

While I could use this forum to talk about all the needs of my favorite team, I want to point out how interesting it is that a concept like economics has found its way into the NFL Draft. If teams can't get the value they perceive is worthy of their pick, they will simply keep the pick.

However, the salary situation has become a bit upside down. Let's use the Bengals as an example -- okay, let's not -- they are pretty stingy with money and sometimes just won't spend for the good players. Let's use the Detroit Lions instead as an example. Thanks to last year's record-setting season, the Lions have the first overall pick -- a position they have become accustomed to in the past.

This year the Lions are expected to draft Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford -- and pay him a lot of money. The problem here is they are speculating on how good this kid can be. Exactly how many passes has he thrown in the NFL? As many as I have, and where is my multi-million-dollar contract? Nevertheless, this youngster will pull down a major contract without having proven himself -- and this contract will put a strain on the Lions.

Say what you want about their past drafts (which have been bad), the biggest problem is that paying out multi-million-dollar contracts to unproven rookies has taken a toll on the Lions (the Bengals, the Browns, the 49ers, and the Seahawks). You see, when the Lions pay a ton of money to an unproven rookie (usually a receiver thanks to Matt Millen), they take money out of the pool that they can spend on free agents. When the Lions give Stafford his millions, they will handcuff themselves for the future.

Believe me, I am not making an excuse for my Bengals (they are just bad) -- but look at the bottom of the draft. Do you think it was a coincidence that the Steelers had all that money to throw at James Harrison? No, they saved money by being good and having late draft picks. What originally started as a plan to even the playing field in the NFL has turned on its head and is now punishing the bad teams.