If they hadn’t deleted the archives you could go back and see I’ve been trying to relay this information to people here for 10-15 years, maybe even back on CBMB.
I have pages trying to explain this to these idiots and they usually say “no you have to draft better.”
If you look at the comp awards Rvens/Patriots/49ers(Harbaugh era)/Steelers and a few other teams that frequent playoff runs know how to do it.
like the Patriots two years ago signed nobody. Then this year went free agent crazy and bought ten guys because they don’t punish you for spending sprees..
The bears always make a press splash on free agency opening day and have 2-3 players at press conference. Always..and we never get picks.
It’s maddening to be stupid and put yourself at such a massive disadvantage.
I guarantee you this year or next year or both the Patriots will sign nobody in free agency. But will trade for a veteran or two to fill holes because you don’t get punished for trade acquisitions.
Hard to win when the Patriots have 11 picks per year and you have 5 because you are a trade up clown.
Do what I say and start a cycle, once you have 11 picks even once it snowballs and you can trade three of them down, move some for a veteran to protect your comp awards, or trade some for a round higher pick next year and it just continues.