Drafting for need is the #1 reason that teams fail in the draft.
The best strategy is to focus on drafting for the next season, not the upcoming season.
- Assume that any specific pick is unlikely to be a quality starter as a rookie.
- On the flip side, a team's complete draft class should be expected to have a few rookie contributors. Just don't assume to know which specific players.
- If the Cowboys draft a Zack Martin type instant All Pro, how many positions on the current roster would that pick be "wasted" ?
OT: Tyron has had multiple injury issues the past 4 years. If he misses 8 games, the season is done. The top backup is 2019 udfa Brandon Knight and he has not played/practiced at LT in the NFL.
OC: If a Travis Frederick level talent was available at #17, which player in this draft would be better at that pick?
OG: Connor Williams is returning from a major injury and McGoven has never played a snap in the NFL, not even in a preseason game.
LB: LVE's health status is unknown. New DC Nolan has used multiple types of defensive alignments in the past. If a healthy and faster version of Sean Lee is available, nobody will regret the pick.
DT: Two aging free agents should not change anything with regards to the draft.
WR: There is near zero experience at the 3rd WR position. Not only at slot WR, but the backups at outside WR are fewer than the options at slot WR.
TE: If there is a Witten clone in the draft, then that's a good pick in any round.
Safety: Definitely a need position.
CB: Another obvious need position, especially for 2021 when 2 of the top 3 veterans will be free agents.
RB: It would be extreme to draft one in the 1st but if they had draft Dalvin Cook in the 2nd a couple of years ago, they could have traded Zeke and used the 15M per on another position. They would have had a replacement when Zeke was suspended.
QB: Again, it would be extreme to draft one in the 1st, but if the team was sold on a QB in the 2nd round, that position has such extreme value, that it's a huge payoff if that player turns into a quality starting caliber player.