At what point do you take age into consideration for a prospect?

[DoctorChicken]

For instance, Calvin Ridley will be 24 by the time this season ends. At what point does a prospect become undraftable due to age?

 

[diefree666]

I remember a lot of people complaining about Terrence Newman who was 25 and how he would have a shorter NFL career. This year he was the oldest starter on Defense in the NFL. To be blunt it does not matter with FA the way it is.

 

[Killerinstinct]

It matters to me because if the player works out the second contract can be a doozy. Dez is now 29 and a shell of his former self. Ridley would be 29 when you put the 5th year option on him. Do you want to sign him for another 4 or 5 year contract after that? Taking him to 33 or 34? I think it is a factor.

 

[diefree666]

It matters to me because if the player works out the second contract can be a doozy. Dez is now 29 and a shell of his former self. Ridley would be 29 when you put the 5th year option on him. Do you want to sign him for another 4 or 5 year contract after than? Taking him to 33 or 34? I think it is a factor.

I do not think its much of a factor. With the way things are relatively few players get second contracts with the same team

 

[Killerinstinct]

I do not think its much of a factor. With the way things are relatively few players get second contracts with the same team

If you draft a player with a first rd pick you are hoping he becomes an important piece of your team and you are hoping he is worthy of a 2nd contract.
Tyron, Fred and soon Martin will be on 2nd contracts. Dez is on a second contract.

I think Claiborne was the last 1st rd pick not to receive a 2nd contract.

 

[Idgit]

I don't think it matters all that much, given that anybody you take will be able to give you five good years. For a position like RB it could mean you're unlikely to do a second contract. Or maybe at QB where it takes a couple years to get it down and you want to use a good one up entirely. Taking a guy like Weeden who was, what, 28 (?) his rookie year? That guy, if he does hit, isn't hitting his stride until he's already in his early 30s.

I think it's more a plus when a player is a couple of years younger, where it's a safer bet that he'll be in his prime during the entirety of a second contract.

 

[cnuball21]

Always! 2 of the best players in this draft are perfect examples.

Ridley / 24 - went to a top program and is already older so you have to wonder how much potential does he have?

Edmunds / 19 - since he will literally be a teenager in the NFL, you have a little leniency in his flaws as he has so much room for growth.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Normally I'd prefer the younger prospect but it also depends on the prospect and the position. Ridley would be worth it since I do think he's a top-tier player and same with Terence Newman back in 2003 and Zack Martin. If Ridley is the old-school WR that a lot of people are saying he is then I can see him having a long career and still be effective into his 30s. Some good WRs who were 23/24 during their rookie years:

Marvin Harrison
Torry Holt
Anquan Boldin
Roddy White
Derrick Mason
Chad Johnson

 

[Risen Star]

I remember a lot of people complaining about Terrence Newman who was 25 and how he would have a shorter NFL career. This year he was the oldest starter on Defense in the NFL. To be blunt it does not matter with FA the way it is.

It wasn't a shorter career it was the distinct advantage of being in your physical prime playing against kids in college. Makes you look better than you truly are. Which is why Terence Newman was a horrific top 5 pick.

 

[PUSHfold]

In the 1st round I think it's very important, these are players you want with the team as long as possible and I believe the younger the better. The younger someone is that's playing at a high level the better they should be in their prime and the younger they will be if/when they receive a second contract.
A lot of these reasons are why I'd never draft Ridley personally at least in the 1st round.

 

[cowboyec]

if he sucks.

 

[Bobhaze]

I don’t think 24 is “too old” to be drafted early. They don’t get paid a ton on their first contract.

Besides, who could forget that great “older” prospect- 30 year old Brandon Weeden? You can’t pass on talent like that. I mean Jerry said he had the “pertiest spiral ever seen”! LOL!

 

[xwalker]

For instance, Calvin Ridley will be 24 by the time this season ends. At what point does a prospect become undraftable due to age?

Is it age or number of years in the NFL that causes the most physical decline?

Who is in better physical condition:
A - OL drafted at 20, started every year and is now 29.

B - OL that went on one of those mission-trips and was 26 when drafted but is now 30 ?

I'm not that worried about the 2nd contract issue for Ridley. They get 5 years for a 1st round pick and could Franchise him twice to get 7 total years without committing to a 2nd contract. Many players don't last much longer than that even when drafted young.

Tyron was young but the rigors of the NFL might be catching up to him (Hopefully Not).

They might want to plan on about 7 years for Zeke.

Where age should be considered the most is in regards to evaluating the player's talent. Is Ridley over-rated because he is more mature than the competition in college?

On the other hand, would you get more from Ridley on his first contract because he needs less time to mentally get up to speed than less mature players?

Is Edmunds often lost because he is really young or is he mentally limited like Bruce Carter?

 

[diefree666]

It wasn't a shorter career it was the distinct advantage of being in your physical prime playing against kids in college. Makes you look better than you truly are. Which is why Terence Newman was a horrific top 5 pick.

Do you work at being wrong or does it come naturally?
Newman made the probowl twice with the boys and was robbed of another. And they were all deserved. and the fact that he is not only playing but starting at his age is such an obvious total crapping on your 'opinion' that nothing more needs to be said

 

[Risen Star]

Do you work at being wrong or does it come naturally?
Newman made the probowl twice with the boys and was robbed of another. And they were all deserved. and the fact that he is not only playing but starting at his age is such an obvious total crapping on your 'opinion' that nothing more needs to be said

Impactless, run of the mill, dime a dozen player. Terrible choice for a top 5 pick. You need a team changer there or they aren't worth the pick.

You pretty much have to be a fan boy of this team to watch his career in Dallas and think he deserved to go top 5 in the draft. Should have been Suggs. A vastly superior and impactful player.

 

[Torturedcowboysfan]

I personally dont want anyone over 22. Obviously Ware was 23 so was Murray, but look what happened. You dont get them as long. Meanwhile we drafted Witten at 21 and got 15 seasons out of him.

 

[Torturedcowboysfan]

Last year helped Zeke a lot. His carries weren't as high, so he should be fresh this year.

Is it age or number of years in the NFL that causes the most physical decline?

Who is in better physical condition:
A - OL drafted at 20, started every year and is now 29.

B - OL that went on one of those mission-trips and was 26 when drafted but is now 30 ?

I'm not that worried about the 2nd contract issue for Ridley. They get 5 years for a 1st round pick and could Franchise him twice to get 7 total years without committing to a 2nd contract. Many players don't last much longer than that even when drafted young.

Tyron was young but the rigors of the NFL might be catching up to him (Hopefully Not).

They might want to plan on about 7 years for Zeke.

Where age should be considered the most is in regards to evaluating the player's talent. Is Ridley over-rated because he is more mature than the competition in college?

On the other hand, would you get more from Ridley on his first contract because he needs less time to mentally get up to speed than less mature players?

Is Edmunds often lost because he is really young or is he mentally limited like Bruce Carter?

 

[xwalker]

Last year helped Zeke a lot. His carries weren't as high, so he should be fresh this year.

It does help a bit, but it was just 6 games of his career and if the Cowboys can go deep in the playoffs a few times in his career that will rack up the mileage.

He had 242 carries in 2017 vs 322 in 2016.

 

[Torturedcowboysfan]

It does help a bit, but it was just 6 games of his career and if the Cowboys can go deep in the playoffs a few times in his career that will rack up the mileage.

He had 242 carries in 2017 vs 322 in 2016.

I believe 2017 will make him hungrier in top on being fresher. If he starts the season fast , he’ll probably go for 2000. He started slow both seasons.

 

[xwalker]

I believe 2017 will make him hungrier in top on being fresher. If he starts the season fast , he’ll probably go for 2000. He started slow both seasons.

He was out of shape to start 2017. They need to play him enough in the preseason to get him in shape if he can't do it himself. He should be motivated.