If Free remains at guard, the Cowboys may be finished at OLine for a while

[Manwiththeplan]

I just don't see any teams that operate like that, unless something happens with Claiborne or Carr next season, we shouldn't take a CB with our first pick, unless the we can't trade down. To me, you don't want to reach (take the 35th rated prospect at 20 just because he fits a need), but if you're sitting at 20, need at G and the #1 guard on your board is available and ranked 18th overall, you don't pass on him just because the #1 CB who is ranked 15th overall is available, when you have your 2 starters and good depth.

 

[Plankton]

I just don't see any teams that operate like that, unless something happens with Claiborne or Carr next season, we shouldn't take a CB with our first pick, unless the we can't trade down. To me, you don't want to reach (take the 35th rated prospect at 20 just because he fits a need), but if you're sitting at 20, need at G and the #1 guard on your board is available and ranked 18th overall, you don't pass on him just because the #1 CB who is ranked 15th overall is available, when you have your 2 starters and good depth.

Needs should be filled in free agency, while getting the best talent should be the aim of the draft. This is where the biggest mistakes are made.

 

[jobberone]

In that extreme and rare scenario, there will be trade offers out there for the QB if this is an early round pick we're talking about.

If we're talking later in the draft and maybe there isn't a trade, take the QB. There's a reason you pay your scouts and stack your board.

Right. The heck with the cap and other needs. I'll admit it isn't as hard as before with the rookie salary structure to pick high although some years teams are trying hard to trade down anyway. I'd draft the QB if I had a loaded team with no real needs which is really rare. As in that animal doesn't exist. The scenario I presented is not rare but something teams see all the time. My example is not just for a QB v linemen but any scenario where the BPA is not exactly what you're looking for. And when teams know that they try hard to skin anyone trying to trade out because they know you don't want the BPA. Sometimes you do get lucky and another team NEEDS that BPA and you get the better part of the deal and still get someone you need.

This 100% BPA, 100% need only, 100% BPA at a need, yada is not the real world. When it's your turn to pick you have to balance your needs with the talent you are able to draft and make a decision who to pick or trade out if you can. Sometimes you get stuck. And the value chart is archaic. You pays your dollar and you takes your chance hoping you got the right guy for YOU. If you worse than average at it eventually you don't have enough talent to win consistently no matter who's coaching. And that is basically where this league is. Who ever has the most money and talent wins; in general. You can have the wrong coach.

 

[jobberone]

Needs should be filled in free agency, while getting the best talent should be the aim of the draft. This is where the biggest mistakes are made.

Needs should be fixed in FA is you're a contender or think you are and you can't fill a hole any other way....and the player comes at the right price. That's where the money (cap) comes in. If you don't manage carefully and well then you can't afford the playmakers (when one is out there) but only the Nate Livings of the NFL. You very judiciously use FA and you draft your team for the most part. Or you do a great job like the Boys and find some UDFAs as well.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

there isn't always enough talent to fill needs in free agency. this offseason we needed a center, and even if we could afford one, who was available?

 

[jobberone]

I'd have no problem taking a cornerback if your scouts are saying he's the best player on the board. If there's a drop off from the CB to the G. I'd look to trade out, but I'd take him if I couldn't.

It's usually not that simple. Players often don't develop quickly and when they get to where you want them they want the dough as it's time to resign them. So you're stuck with paying them or hoping to find a replacement just as good. And you're constantly missing on picks because that's how it is with everyone. So you're constantly reloading at multiple positions. After the top 5-15 picks then you're really in a crapshoot. So you can't be married to your board anymore than you can dismiss it. Which means even if you think this one guy out of 5-15 guys at number 22 is way better than the others, you can't be sure he's going to be golden. And you're sitting here needing a CB, S, Will, two OL, a pass rusher, yada and you think the ONLY pick you can make is this one WR whom YOU THINK is just oh so much better that you can dismiss your needs and draft and pay for a #1 WR when you already have two WRs on the team you're paying as #1s. Like on our team right now.

 

[onlyonenow]

No one does BPA in the draft. No matter what they claim.

The last one that truly did that was Matt Millen. Look what happened to him.

 

[SWG9]

No one does BPA in the draft. No matter what they claim.

The last one that truly did that was Matt Millen. Look what happened to him.

It did lead to him drafting Calvin Johnson...

 

[Risen Star]

It's usually not that simple. Players often don't develop quickly and when they get to where you want them they want the dough as it's time to resign them. So you're stuck with paying them or hoping to find a replacement just as good. And you're constantly missing on picks because that's how it is with everyone. So you're constantly reloading at multiple positions. After the top 5-15 picks then you're really in a crapshoot. So you can't be married to your board anymore than you can dismiss it. Which means even if you think this one guy out of 5-15 guys at number 22 is way better than the others, you can't be sure he's going to be golden. And you're sitting here needing a CB, S, Will, two OL, a pass rusher, yada and you think the ONLY pick you can make is this one WR whom YOU THINK is just oh so much better that you can dismiss your needs and draft and pay for a #1 WR when you already have two WRs on the team you're paying as #1s. Like on our team right now.

The best way to miss on picks is to do what you suggest. Ignore your scouts and take lesser players because of current need.

 

[iceman117]

Um, he didn't "beat" out Free because he was hurt most of the offseason.

I'd actually fight this guy by saying its looks like Parnell did win the starting RT because he is in fact our starting RT.

 

[Risen Star]

I just don't see any teams that operate like that, unless something happens with Claiborne or Carr next season, we shouldn't take a CB with our first pick, unless the we can't trade down. To me, you don't want to reach (take the 35th rated prospect at 20 just because he fits a need), but if you're sitting at 20, need at G and the #1 guard on your board is available and ranked 18th overall, you don't pass on him just because the #1 CB who is ranked 15th overall is available, when you have your 2 starters and good depth.

If that's the scenario, chances are the 15th and 18th ranked players on your board carry similar grades.

You guys are inventing a scenario where each spot on your draft board carries it's own individual grade. When in actuality you have these players ranked in groups.

 

[jobberone]

The best way to miss on picks is to do what you suggest. Ignore your scouts and take lesser players because of current need.

Oh, come on. Nobody said anything about ignoring scouts. That's pure deflection. Of course they follow the board which is created by everyone esp the scouts. They don't just cross guys off as they're drafted and when Dallas's time comes up just pick the top guy on the board. If they did that then they would have chosen Sharrif Floyd. Instead they did the right thing and picked someone who they thought would be a starter hopefully year one, add competition to the OL which really really needed it, get themselves a legit center, and BTW sign him for five years.

 

[jobberone]

If that's the scenario, chances are the 15th and 18th ranked players on your board carry similar grades.

You guys are inventing a scenario where each spot on your draft board carries it's own individual grade. When in actuality you have these players ranked in groups.

This I agree with but this fact undermines your own argument.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I believe regardless of how your offensive line performs you should always look to add some guys in the draft every season. You can never have too many.

 

[Risen Star]

This I agree with but this fact undermines your own argument.

It doesn't at all.

Whenever you face a situation where one player is the clear cut best value on the board and there isn't a trade offering better value, take that player. I don't care about need.

 

[Risen Star]

Oh, come on. Nobody said anything about ignoring scouts. That's pure deflection. Of course they follow the board which is created by everyone esp the scouts. They don't just cross guys off as they're drafted and when Dallas's time comes up just pick the top guy on the board. If they did that then they would have chosen Sharrif Floyd. Instead they did the right thing and picked someone who they thought would be a starter hopefully year one, add competition to the OL which really really needed it, get themselves a legit center, and BTW sign him for five years.

I'm not arguing what Jerry Jones does. He's proven to be a terrible GM. You might as well tell me what happened in Dan Snyder's war room.

When you take a lesser player per the scouting grades you are ignoring your scouts. That is the absolute worst way to run a war room. Where the most informed voices in the room aren't heard.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

If that's the scenario, chances are the 15th and 18th ranked players on your board carry similar grades.

You guys are inventing a scenario where each spot on your draft board carries it's own individual grade. When in actuality you have these players ranked in groups.

This.

I mean i'd hate to see some of you guys' fantasy football teams.

Probably running around with Aaron Rodgers with Cam Newton on your bench while starting Shonne Greene Rashard Mendenhall.

 

[jobberone]

It doesn't at all.

Whenever you face a situation where one player is the clear cut best value on the board and there isn't a trade offering better value, take that player. I don't care about need.

All evidence to the contrary.

I'm not arguing what Jerry Jones does. He's proven to be a terrible GM. You might as well tell me what happened in Dan Snyder's war room.

When you take a lesser player per the scouting grades you are ignoring your scouts. That is the absolute worst way to run a war room. Where the most informed voices in the room aren't heard.

It's your prerogative to diss JJ but you can look at plenty of drafts and see for yourself. But again, you persist with the fallacy that the scouts only make the board. Everyone sits down to make the board which is a general guide. You can persist in believing the BOARD comes from on high and is the be all end all. Wait! Sorry, you think the board comes from the scouts only. Sorry for the senior moment. As far as the scouts being the most informed I have a couple of points. These guys can be wrong too and often are because people do listen to them and teams draft guys who fail. And these days there is media on most players to look at. This isn't the good ole days when the scouts were the only ones to lay eyes and ears on a player.

You can have the last word.