Remember the RB's having a Zoom about being underpaid?

This will never be an outlet that debates things like: has Lebron’s run in LA been a disappointment? The question popped up across my socials, and I just see it as the biggest waste of time. This isn’t a “I’m too smart for that content” screed, but sometimes the Mainstream Media can really waste it’s breath. A publication like this goes for breadth and depth. OKAY. And if we’re going to talk disappointments, let’s just wait for James Harden in Game 7 against Detroit. That’ll be fun! After Harden’s 30pt night Wednesday, the Pistons need to squeeze out game 6 before the most inevitable lackluster performance happens Sunday night. Stay tuned.

De’Von Achane re-upped with the Miami Dolphins for 4yrs/$64m. Achane receives $32m in guaranteed money and his $16m per year average annual salary compensates him as the third highest paid running back in the league. The Dolphins recently cut QB Tua Tagovailoa, fired the Braintrust, and settled on a multi-year rebuild. They’ve imported a new GM and Head Coach from Green Bay, signed the Packers’ former backup quarterback to start, and flipped any remaining talent on the roster for draft picks. Achane, their best player, is locked up. How long he actually stays a Fish is anyone’s guess. So why do we care about this deal? A top 10 running back signs an extension in the Crypto Capital of the World, but does it make a sound?

Let’s look backwards to the Draft. This isn’t even a piece about Achane. Woops! Remember, most analysts had new Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love as the most talented, most productive player available. But mock after mock after mock had him falling not just past the #1 overall pick but as far down as 10th. Why? In a capped sport like football, GM’s use the draft to maximize surplus value from players at impact positions. Each draft pick is signed to a pre-allotted contract value. Love’s deal as the third overall pick stipulates that he’ll earn a $35m signing bonus and likely $53m in guaranteed money over 4yrs. Love is arguably more expensive entering the league than Achane is after 3 rather productive seasons. Quarterbacks, left tackles, and edge rushers dominate the first round because the difference in a predetermined draft contract and extension driven market value is savings a team can sprinkle on all the other positions that make a team competitive. #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza might only be half the man Josh Allen is, but guess what, he’s earning a quarter of Josh’s megadeal.

Life does not exist in the vacuum of salary cap value capture. Are the Cards and Dolphins actually onto something? No. They’re two of the worst performing franchises in the sport and they both cut former first round pick QBs that didn’t deliver any sustained success. Cut em after they signed massive extensions! Because of the futility of the rest of their rosters, Arizona and Miami are two of few teams that actually have the funds available to splurge on a RB. And I’m 100% OK with that. Let’s get these Boys paid. Pay the O-line next (as Miami did by drafting Kadyn Proctor in the first round). Build through the trenches, and never, ever, hand Tua Tagovailoa $167m guaranteed again.