More Thoughts on the Draft

by user Willf123

Every major media outlet has posted their draft grades guide for each team in the NFL.  It gets me thinking about which players will make the most impact in their pro careers. 

Obviously it would take 3-5 years in most cases to adequately assess a draft.  Not having a crystal ball I suggest my own rule of thumb when making evaluations on players, most of whom I've never even seen, never mind perform any physical activity unless I happened to catch a combine workout  flipping through channels latenight.  Don't ask. 

There is a spectrum which says the most immediate impact starts at running back then goes through quarterback, defensive ends/tackles, offensive lineman, linebackers, corners and/or safeties, and finally wide receivers.  While running back may be an instinctive position I am not stating that it is easier to play then some of the other positions.  I am simply stating that rushing for 1000 + yards as a rookie is not that uncommon. 

I list quarterback second due to the importance of the position and the fact that with the exception of Dan Marino I have never seen a rookie come into the league and be instantly successful.  It is more important for young quarterback to minimize throwing picks than anything else.  Which brings me to my last point.  Unless there is a top 2 or 3 quarterback out there for the picking teams are generally better off going with size when the talent level is close. 

Lineman basically amplify the abilities of skill position players.  You may have an excellent running back or qb, but stuck behind a crap line they will be hindered or their development may halt especially young players trying to acclimate themselves to the speed of the game.

So once again to reitterate a point I made on an earlier post, teams are usually better off picking the best players available unless they are at or near a championship level (Colts, Pats) and that player usually is a lineman.

BigPPupMajor Leaguer

945 days ago

Score 1

An interesting point. Typically the thought on talent and imediate impact goes from inside out. Meaning guys who are closer to the ball have a more difficult time making the adjustment to the pro's. i.e. a QB has more to learn than a WR and there WR can make the adjustment quicker. Same goes for linemen a C has more to learn and is the captain of the line were a T is more reliant on their physical ability and can rely on that to make the switch. As far as your belief on linemen I think you are right to an extent. Linemen can make or break a team. Look at Arizona a talented team that has no line so Leinhart and Edge cant do crap till they sured that up. Cleveland was smart as they worked to get a Lineman and a QB to build a foundation with. Big Ben was a rookie QB who had an amazing start that record wise was better than Dan Marino and it was because of his line and running game.

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Willf123JV Squad

944 days ago

Score 0

I like the Patriots approach this year of signing veterans to one year contracts. Basically they get a proven player at short money and don't have to spend rookie bonus money on a lot of these guys and defer their picks till the next year when they will either use them or target their pressing needs with a vet.

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