Is trading down worth giving up the chance to take a future Pro-Bowler

[Schneed10]

The whole assumption here is that the player we're getting at 6 (whether it be Okoye or Landry) is a pro-bowler in the making. While that certainly seems to be the case based on what we know of them now, it's definitely not an assumption we can just make. Corey Simon was selected at 6 overall, he had a few good years, but in general I'd say he didn't live up to the potential. Throughout history the top of the draft is rife with players who didn't make the pro bowl. There's no telling that Landry or Okoye won't be one of them.

Also, why should we assume that a player we'd get at 12, 15, 18, or 31 wouldn't become a pro bowler? Lots of teams have success with those players. And who's to say we can't get a great player out of a 2nd or 3rd rounder? Portis, Cooley, and Derrick Dockery all came out of rounds 2 and 3.

The whole point I'm trying to make is you might study the players relentlessly, and research them to the point where you think you're absolutely sure who's going to be good and who's not. But the whole point is YOU NEVER KNOW. NEVER EVER EVER.

You can't assume Okoye or Landry will be pro-bowlers. You have to assess your team's overall needs. If you've got more than one hole, as we do, then it makes the most sense to trade down.