No Successful NFL Team Drafts Best Player Available

DFWJC

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Some people still don't understand what BPA is.

It's a tier based thing, NOT an absolute thing.

Example of a random teams board
Tier 1 (all players grouped together with very close grades)
Player 1--DE
Player 2--OT
Player 3--OT
Player 4--QB
Player 5--WR

GAP

Tier 2
Player 6--DT
Player 7--WR
Player 8--OG
Player 9--DE
Player 10--QB
Player 11--CB
Player 12--LB

Team badly needs CB and OG

Example 1
Players 1-5 are all gone but player 6 and 7 are available, yet team takes Player 8 or player 11
NOT Violating BPA

Example 2
Player 1, 2,4, all gone, but 3 and 5 available. Team takes player 8 or 11
IS violating BPA and reaching or need

In 2nd case, team should take a tier one player OR attempt to trade dwon.


Team needs OL

To think teams are crazy enough to think they have perfect and absolute grades on very single player...say 300 players...and they know for sure number 205 is better than 206....is nuts.
They put these guys into groupings--which allows then to include need into the equation but not so much that they're dumb about it.
Day 1 was a 3rd scenario and most obvious

One player from the tier one group still remained and the remaining players were in your tier 2 or even tier 3 groups.
BPA all the way. Clear cut as it can get. Plus the player, though not the very top need, was filling a starting spot vacancy.

If the DID have Chaisson and Lamp in the same tier—even if Lamb was higher in that same tier—taking Chaisson mayve made sense. But pretty sure they in separate tiers
 

jnday

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I hear Cowboys fans talk a lot about drafting the best player available. No team is successful drafting the best player available (BPA). Ask the Detroit Lions who drafted Charles Rodgers, Roy Williams, Mike Williams, and Calvin Johnson in almost consecutive drafts.

You draft the best available player of need (BAPON), ranking the players by grade, then by positions, ranking your needs in priority (prioritized needs), and then you make your BAPON draft board. You can trade up or down using BAPON but you better stick with the board. The 2005 draft that is on ESPN2 today shows how it worked correctly. Parcells wanted to change to a 3-4 Defense and need players. To go to a 3-4 D you better have and outstanding pass rusher at OLB that can also drop in coverage when needed. You also need a DL that can hold up at the line of scrimage and then be able to rush the passer (275 to +300 pound DL).

The Cowboys had DL as there no.1 priority position of need in 2005, and no. 2 was OLB. When the Cowboys came to pick in the 1st round of the 2005 draft, they had a dilemma. Demarcus Ware was the BAPON on the draft board, but the no.1 priority position of need fit was Marcus Spears, DL, LSU from Southern Lab High in Baton Rouge, and Nick Saban Coached. Parcell's loved Ware saying he reminded him of a retired LB in FL (LT), however his no. 1 priority need was not the no.1 player on the draft board. So the Cowboys personnel department (Jeff Ireland, others) had to conveince him to stick to the board and draft Ware then hope that Spears fell to their 20 pick in the 1st round or they could trade up to snatch him. Parcells did not want to take the risk but he also knew about the Cowboys not sticking with the BAPON draft board leading the all the sorry Larry Lacewell drafts that he required Jerry Jones to fire for Parcells to Coach the Cowboys. So, the Cowboys stuck with the BAPON and drafted future Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor OLB Demarucs Ware. The remainder of the draft BAPON was used and the Cowboys went for 4-3 to 3-4 in one draft, creating a playoff/super bowl caliber defense that continued through the lousy coaching and coaching carousel of Son of Bum, and that Red Head clapping idiot who finally wasted what was drafted in 2005.

BAPON was the method used by Gil Brandt/Wooten during the Landry years (20 consecutive winning seasons) before Landry got more involved in personnel decisions in the mid/late 80's. BAPON was used masterfully by Jimmy Johnson/Ackles/Wooten to build the Cowboys Dynasty of the 90's. BAPON was totally neglected during the Jerry Jones/Lacewell years. BAPON was brought back during the Parcells years (see the trade down in 2004 that lead to the 2 1st round picks in 2005). Neglected again during the Jerry Jones/Tom Ciskowski years. After the 2013 fiasco (trade down not using BAPON) BAPON was brought back by Will McClay. However Jerry still can mess it up when he listens to coaches vs. scouts see the Hill DT pick, and the waste of former 1st round pick Taco Charlton, who had as many sacks as Demarcus Lawrence in less games last year for the Dolphins as Lawrence cost per sack total was $4M less than Taco.

When you draft the Best Available Player of Need according to your draft board, you will pass on Johnny Football, and draft a OG from Notre Dame named Zach Martin. Keep yourself and your coaches out of the selection process, and never draft the best available player without looking at prioritized needs or you will end up with 4 WR as your number one pick 4 out of 5 years.
You seem to forget that WR was a need. They lost Cobb and after Cooper and Gallup, there is no depth at the WR position. It may not have been the biggest need, but is was a need, especially considering that Cooper has injury problems. As it stood, Dallas did not have a decent WR to even play the slot position . To top it off, Lamb was the last first tier talent on the board, which usually means that he was the last player that Dallas has with a true first round grade. In years past, Dallas usually has around 15-20 players with first round grades that are considered top tier talents. They next tier is second round talent on their grading system.
 

TheCoolFan

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Not sold on Chaisson. Sorry but this just wasn't the year to address DE in the draft. Go get Griffen, Ansah, or Sheard in free agency and then hope Gregory/Aldon Smith can still play.
 

McKDaddy

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ill take my chances with BPA in the first round. You NEVER pass up better talent for a need.
You can get cute and reach and fill needs after the first three rounds.
Exactly. You take clear BPA over need. Especially early in the draft. That is not to say that if three players are very closely rated but the lesser rated player is also a clear need that you can't take that player. You are then choosing need over a slight difference in grade. The further you go down the draft you can certainly focus more on need but you still shouldn't pass on a guy with 2nd round grade in the 5th round just because you need a depth LB and special teams contributor.
 

eromeopolk

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You seem to forget that WR was a need. They lost Cobb and after Cooper and Gallup, there is no depth at the WR position. It may not have been the biggest need, but is was a need, especially considering that Cooper has injury problems. As it stood, Dallas did not have a decent WR to even play the slot position . To top it off, Lamb was the last first tier talent on the board, which usually means that he was the last player that Dallas has with a true first round grade. In years past, Dallas usually has around 15-20 players with first round grades that are considered top tier talents. They next tier is second round talent on their grading system.
I already posted that WR was a need and at pick 17 it was BAPON that you could not Passover Lamb :)

See the post "Behold the Lamb of ....Jones?"
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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I hear Cowboys fans talk a lot about drafting the best player available. No team is successful drafting the best player available (BPA). Ask the Detroit Lions who drafted Charles Rodgers, Roy Williams, Mike Williams, and Calvin Johnson in almost consecutive drafts.

You draft the best available player of need (BAPON), ranking the players by grade, then by positions, ranking your needs in priority (prioritized needs), and then you make your BAPON draft board. You can trade up or down using BAPON but you better stick with the board. The 2005 draft that is on ESPN2 today shows how it worked correctly. Parcells wanted to change to a 3-4 Defense and need players. To go to a 3-4 D you better have and outstanding pass rusher at OLB that can also drop in coverage when needed. You also need a DL that can hold up at the line of scrimage and then be able to rush the passer (275 to +300 pound DL).

The Cowboys had DL as there no.1 priority position of need in 2005, and no. 2 was OLB. When the Cowboys came to pick in the 1st round of the 2005 draft, they had a dilemma. Demarcus Ware was the BAPON on the draft board, but the no.1 priority position of need fit was Marcus Spears, DL, LSU from Southern Lab High in Baton Rouge, and Nick Saban Coached. Parcell's loved Ware saying he reminded him of a retired LB in FL (LT), however his no. 1 priority need was not the no.1 player on the draft board. So the Cowboys personnel department (Jeff Ireland, others) had to conveince him to stick to the board and draft Ware then hope that Spears fell to their 20 pick in the 1st round or they could trade up to snatch him. Parcells did not want to take the risk but he also knew about the Cowboys not sticking with the BAPON draft board leading the all the sorry Larry Lacewell drafts that he required Jerry Jones to fire for Parcells to Coach the Cowboys. So, the Cowboys stuck with the BAPON and drafted future Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor OLB Demarucs Ware. The remainder of the draft BAPON was used and the Cowboys went for 4-3 to 3-4 in one draft, creating a playoff/super bowl caliber defense that continued through the lousy coaching and coaching carousel of Son of Bum, and that Red Head clapping idiot who finally wasted what was drafted in 2005.

BAPON was the method used by Gil Brandt/Wooten during the Landry years (20 consecutive winning seasons) before Landry got more involved in personnel decisions in the mid/late 80's. BAPON was used masterfully by Jimmy Johnson/Ackles/Wooten to build the Cowboys Dynasty of the 90's. BAPON was totally neglected during the Jerry Jones/Lacewell years. BAPON was brought back during the Parcells years (see the trade down in 2004 that lead to the 2 1st round picks in 2005). Neglected again during the Jerry Jones/Tom Ciskowski years. After the 2013 fiasco (trade down not using BAPON) BAPON was brought back by Will McClay. However Jerry still can mess it up when he listens to coaches vs. scouts see the Hill DT pick, and the waste of former 1st round pick Taco Charlton, who had as many sacks as Demarcus Lawrence in less games last year for the Dolphins as Lawrence cost per sack total was $4M less than Taco.

When you draft the Best Available Player of Need according to your draft board, you will pass on Johnny Football, and draft a OG from Notre Dame named Zach Martin. Keep yourself and your coaches out of the selection process, and never draft the best available player without looking at prioritized needs or you will end up with 4 WR as your number one pick 4 out of 5 years.
another example would be having drafted Charlton...tor Hill, both positions of need. both reaches who seemingly haven't worked out
 

Reverend Conehead

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1979 Draft -- Cowboys have three QBs in Staubach, White, and Carano and really need a TE.
BPA = Joe Montana
Best TE available = Doug Cosbie

Cowboys pass on Montana and instead draft Cosbie, gaining a high quality TE that they need, but missing out on one of the best QBs to ever play the game.

We would have been fine without Cosbie, and could have addressed that TE need later in the draft or via trade or free agent pickup.

Cowboys repeated this mistake when passing on Randy Moss. We got Greg Ellis instead, who was a good player, but Moss was one of the great ones that we should not have passed on.

I'm glad the Cowboys scooped up this high-end receiver. With him opposite Cooper, defenses are going to be scared. We'll just have to address those CB and pass rusher needs later in the draft or via trade or free agency.
 

eromeopolk

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But those 49ers in the 80’s....
Walsh after getting the gift of Montana from the Cowboys drafted for need in the secondary using BAPON in 1981 drafting Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, and Carlton Williamson 1, 2b, and 3.
 

Big_D

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I think you have it backwards. Drafting for need will usually bite you cause you’ll over reach for a need while the value isn’t there!
 

CCBoy

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A hillbilly song comes to mind...'knock her down again, Pa...knock her down again, make her tell us why, Pa, she was out late last night...
 

eromeopolk

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1979 Draft -- Cowboys have three QBs in Staubach, White, and Carano and really need a TE.
BPA = Joe Montana
Best TE available = Doug Cosbie

Cowboys pass on Montana and instead draft Cosbie, gaining a high quality TE that they need, but missing out on one of the best QBs to ever play the game.

We would have been fine without Cosbie, and could have addressed that TE need later in the draft or via trade or free agent pickup.

Cowboys repeated this mistake when passing on Randy Moss. We got Greg Ellis instead, who was a good player, but Moss was one of the great ones that we should not have passed on.

I'm glad the Cowboys scooped up this high-end receiver. With him opposite Cooper, defenses are going to be scared. We'll just have to address those CB and pass rusher needs later in the draft or via trade or free agency.
But those 49ers in the 80’s....
That's why Walsh after getting the gift of Montana from the Cowboys drafted for need in the secondary using BAPON in 1981 drafting Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, and Carlton Williamson 1, 2, and 3.

Bill Walsh drafted Montana because he was BAPON. Cowboys drafted Cosbie because he was BAPON. 1978 2nd round pick, Todd Christensen, refused the conversion to TE for the Cowboys (change his mind for the Raiders after getting cut-Pro Bowler). Jay Saldi was injured in 1978. TE has always been important in Landry's multiple offense. 1979 cowboys team had Danny White, drafted Glen Carano a 2nd round pick in 1977, and they had a little known QB from the Naval Acadamey named Staubach. So QB was not a prioritized need for the Cowboys. Cosbie went to 3 Pro Bowls and 3 in a row NFC Championship games something Cowboy fans have not seen since 1995.

For the 100th time BAPON at pick 17 was not to Passover Lamb (I am good with Jerry having a little Lamb).
 

eromeopolk

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2nd Round BAPON and best DB in left the draft...

Don't mess this up getting sea sick on the yacht.
 

Reverend Conehead

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That's why Walsh after getting the gift of Montana from the Cowboys drafted for need in the secondary using BAPON in 1981 drafting Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, and Carlton Williamson 1, 2, and 3.

Bill Walsh drafted Montana because he was BAPON. Cowboys drafted Cosbie because he was BAPON. 1978 2nd round pick, Todd Christensen, refused the conversion to TE for the Cowboys (change his mind for the Raiders after getting cut-Pro Bowler). Jay Saldi was injured in 1978. TE has always been important in Landry's multiple offense. 1979 cowboys team had Danny White, drafted Glen Carano a 2nd round pick in 1977, and they had a little known QB from the Naval Acadamey named Staubach. So QB was not a prioritized need for the Cowboys. Cosbie went to 3 Pro Bowls and 3 in a row NFC Championship games something Cowboy fans have not seen since 1995.

For the 100th time BAPON at pick 17 was not to Passover Lamb (I am good with Jerry having a little Lamb).

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with your BAPON acronym. Does that mean best available player for the position?
 

Cmac

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Remember when he used a first round supplemental draft pick right after getting Troy Aikman.
And? Was there a problem with Steve Walsh? No problem with that pick. Steve Walsh led the 1 in 1-15 that year. Remember Paul Palmer? Remember who the 1 win was against? Remember the 'Boys were still rebuilding at that time?
 

doomsday808

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Coop and Gallup then.......who? I would say WR was a position of need. Best player available for a position of need.
 

eromeopolk

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I'm afraid I'm not familiar with your BAPON acronym. Does that mean best available player for the position?
Best Available Player of Need. Grade all the players, rank them by position, prioritize positions by need, draft BAPON. You still would have drafted Lamb because he was the highest graded, highest ranked, a prioritize need player on the draft board that was of under value at pick 17. If your BAPON is over value, you trade down. If under value, trade up or draft at under value pick.

Grade, Rank, Prioritize, Draft, Repeat. I hope BAPON is on defense for the remainder of the draft.
 

eromeopolk

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Running out of BAPON in the 2nd round. May have to trade down and see if you can get and no.1 next year from a team wanting the QBs or RBs and pick up a 3-5 pick this year.
 
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