FOOTY analyst David King has floated a radical plan to help Essendon fast track its list rebuild.

Under the proposal, Essendon could obtain up to six first round draft picks at the expense of some of their elite suspended talent.

In essence, the club would be acquiescing to a rebuild, but one with the potential to propel the Bombers into premiership contention sooner than later.

The proposal hinges on Essendon finishing 18th in 2016 and 2017, and takes into account the re-signing of Heath Hocking.

But the core of the proposal — which King described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” — would see up to half of Essendon’s suspended players traded to obtain premium draft picks.

LISTEN TO THE LATEST FOX FOOTY PODCAST FEATURING TOM CHADWICK, RILEY BEVERIDGE AND BEN WATERWORTH BELOW, OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

All-Australian defenders Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley would be traded, as well as David Myers, Ben Howlett, Tom Bellchambers and Micahael Hibberd.

When coupled with the draft picks the Bombers would receive for finishing last, King said the club would be in an enviable position, with picks 1, 2, 19, 20 and 25 in 2016. And in 2017, it would be a similar story, with the Bombers selecting from picks 1, 5, 19, 24, 26 and 28.

Only the two franchise teams of GWS and the Gold Coast Suns have had such a smattering of early draft picks in the history of the game.

“It’s all about winning flags,” King told AFL 360.

“It’s not about being a nice football club. It’s about allowing players to leave and getting what you can for them and creating a fresh start.”

“It’s almost rebuilding a club with two drafts,” he said.

King ruled out trading veterans Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton, as well as Travis Coyler (24) and Tayte Pears (26) who are young enough to be a part of the Bombers’ next flag tilt.

But he did not rule out trading the club’s most marketable player and future captain, Dyson Heppell.

Heppell has not recommitted to Essendon, although it remains highly unlikely that he would leave the club he grew up supporting.

“If Heppell wants to stay, great,” King said.

“But if he wants to go, he’s a marquee player. He’s two first round picks guaranteed. If you’re giving Hurley two first rounders, this guy is a minimum first two rounders.”

Ostensibly, this would give Essendon three top 10 draft picks in both 2016 and 2017.

To put this into perspective, the year before the Suns joined the competition in 2011, they received six top 10 picks.

While King’s proposal is bold, it’s unlikely that another club will ever have the same opportunity to set up a flag tilt from two years of draft picks.

“With all of the salary cap space ... there’s all sorts of options available,” King said.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

KING’S RADICAL PROPOSAL

OUT:

Cale Hooker

Michael Hurley

David Myers

Ben Howlett

Tom Bellchambers

Michael Hibberd

Dyson Heppell*

IN:

2016 picks: 1 (finishing last), 2 (Hooker), 8*(Heppell), 19(finishing last), 20 (Hurley), 25 (Howlett)

2017 picks: 1(finishing last), 5 (Hurley), 8*(Heppell), 19 (finishing last), 24 (Myers), 26 (Bellchambers), 28 (Hibberd)

*If Heppell is traded