Philosophy on the Draft/FA

[TheFinisher]

I know a lot of fans share different opinions on this, but I for one hate to see when our team reaches in the draft for a position of need. The worst scenario for me in April is that we reach for one of the Offensive Tackles at #9 because we think it's our biggest weakness. I say you should stay true to your draft board and select the BPA regardless of position (within reason) and if you do that every round you should come away with a solid draft class. If you still have needs after the draft then they should be addressed in Free Agency.

What are your opinions on this matter?

 

[HoosierCowboy]

agree--sure worked in the Landry years

 

[CCBoy]

Sounds exactly what a team such as Pittsburgh or Green Bay does now...as to a New England, shoot, they can do what ever they wish.

The negative marker in play right now, is the memory of Roy Williams. But that chip doesn't remain forever.

 

[reddyuta]

do you really believe jj will ever reach for an o-lineman in the 1st rd?

 

[TheFinisher]

What if AJ Green fell to 9?

 

[fortdick]

Say the best player available is a QB, do you take him and wait until the second for a lineman or safety? How does that help us now?

 

[brickman]

I agree 100% and think that's the way the successful teams regard the draft. Draft the BPA unless you are absolutely stocked at that position.

 

[brickman]

Say the best player available is a QB, do you take him and wait until the second for a lineman or safety? How does that help us now?

QB is different. Not many come in right away and produce. The proper approach with a young QB is to draft him and groom him for a few years. Unless they go to a very talented team, they usually get their brains beat in.

 

[dmq]

What if AJ Green fell to 9?

That would be real tempting, but I might also be listening to the phones.

 

[burmafrd]

BPA at position of need if the value is comparable. If not then trade down if possible. Its very rare that one player with a much greater value is left vs several of lower but comparable value.
Taking BPA blindly is almost as dumb as picking for need blindly.

 

[Eddie]

I agree with the BPA philosophy. Take the BPW in the first round unless it's a FB, K, or Punter. Those can be picked up later on.

 

[fortdick]

QB is different. Not many come in right away and produce. The proper approach with a young QB is to draft him and groom him for a few years. Unless they go to a very talented team, they usually get their brains beat in.

okay, WR, RB, ..., this conversation goes on every year. The bottom line is you take the best player that will help the team, not the best player available. If we were completely rebuilding, then any player would do, but this team is not bad. They need to draft someone to fill a hole and help right away. That is need specific.

All I am saying is, BPA is not not the best way to go all the time.

 

[CCBoy]

That would be real tempting, but I might also be listening to the phones.

This very aspect is the gem in the rough for this year's Dallas draft. But I would approach things on the trade to accumulate ammunition, for this:

I still say to move down from the nine slot and pick up Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, and then add on an interior lineman shortly after, such as Baylor's 6-3, 312 lb Watkins.

This would give us the description of:

Watkins - He also is able to consistently get his hands inside his man's frame, enabling him to sustain blocks. He will be a great NFL guard and should move into the late first round. Watkins reminds us of Patriots All-Pro G Logan Mankins.

Carimi - He plays with a nasty streak that reminds me of Marc Columbo. Columbo's body is shot, and his game reflected it in 2010. But I'll always give him props for the fire and passion with which he competes. To my mind, the mild-mannered Cowboys would benefit from a few more nasty, brutish types.

To this fan, they would be a very quick study to replace at positions that will need playoff experience and a leadership that will be able to succeed there. The present group of offensive linemen need to establish a playoff experience with success. Having drive below them would push that, to be gained team sense, to the top levels. If the foundation isn't laid right now, we will be wishfully hoping yet again, next year.

The window of opportunity on the current group of Dallas linemen is about this year or bust. But with that coming out quickly, I think that Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Felix Jones would all be smacking lips.

 

[sonnyboy]

I know a lot of fans share different opinions on this, but I for one hate to see when our team reaches in the draft for a position of need. The worst scenario for me in April is that we reach for one of the Offensive Tackles at #9 because we think it's our biggest weakness. I say you should stay true to your draft board and select the BPA regardless of position (within reason) and if you do that every round you should come away with a solid draft class. If you still have needs after the draft then they should be addressed in Free Agency.

What are your opinions on this matter?

The solution to almost always drafting the BPA, while still producing a draft that makes sense and fills needs, instead of creating frustrating log jams on the depth chart is simple yet complex.....

Constantly burn up the phone lines fielding multiple trade scenarios.

You need plan A,B,C for each selection as it approaches and you need player A,B and perhaps C whom you're willing to take with that pick.

I'm already on record as suggesting we trade down to the bottom of round one to acquire as many as three additional 2nd round picks.

The trading partner is alwyas there, it's just a matter of how motivated they are to pay market value or better.

So we need to be prepared to execute that selection and get a real difference maker.


The other thing you have to understand as a team and a fan is that sometimes you just get screwed!

You're sitting there at 9, 6 guys are off the board and 2 BPAs you really love at 9, who fit a need are still there. The teams at 7 and 8 want double the market value to move up and no solid offers exist to trade down exist til the player availible at 9 is revealed.

Then BANG BANG, your two coveted players are taken and no team is willing to pay market value to trade up to 9.

This scenario scares the crap out of me.

It's why I'd favor a pre-draft trade down if possible.

 

[btcutter]

I know a lot of fans share different opinions on this, but I for one hate to see when our team reaches in the draft for a position of need. The worst scenario for me in April is that we reach for one of the Offensive Tackles at #9 because we think it's our biggest weakness. I say you should stay true to your draft board and select the BPA regardless of position (within reason) and if you do that every round you should come away with a solid draft class. If you still have needs after the draft then they should be addressed in Free Agency.

What are your opinions on this matter?

BPA is relative isn't it. Unless the "BPA" is a SCREAMING talent then again you can that whoever you drafted was the BPA on YOUR BOARD.

 

[sonnyboy]

okay, WR, RB, ..., this conversation goes on every year. The bottom line is you take the best player that will help the team, not the best player available. If we were completely rebuilding, then any player would do, but this team is not bad. They need to draft someone to fill a hole and help right away. That is need specific.

All I am saying is, BPA is not not the best way to go all the time.

Correct.

And from my point of view this isn't your average 6-10 team you'd often find drafting 9th.

A lot can change between now and the draft. If at that point we're looking at two or more clear cut choices with an excellent shot to be at #9, I might say stay there, make the pick and get an immediate starter at a need spot.

If after the combine your projected players between picks 7-9 play RT or S, that could work.

I'm affraid it's not going to break that way.

I'd prefer a trade down or three to the bottom of round one. With the goal being additional 2nd and 3rd rd picks. Not much interest in extra picks in rds 4-7.

I want premium selections and lots of them. Lets draft 4-5 of the best offensive lineman and safeties before round four.

Create some intense competition within those units and let the cream rise to the top.

 

[burmafrd]

this is the draft to trade down twice in the first rd and build up as many picks as possible for the second rd.

 

[dalexa1824]

BPA is relative isn't it. Unless the "BPA" is a SCREAMING talent then again you can that whoever you drafted was the BPA on YOUR BOARD.

After the first half of the first round no one knows who the BPA is.That is the reason there are so many busts.I believe that clubs are able to evaluate that a group of 5-6 players are about the same talent at a given choice in their draft and then they draft for position of need in that 5-6 player group.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

BPA at position of need if the value is comparable. If not then trade down if possible. Its very rare that one player with a much greater value is left vs several of lower but comparable value.
Taking BPA blindly is almost as dumb as picking for need blindly.

Yeah, my theory is that every team says they believe in BPA but no team actually does it. Most teams operate from what I call a Modified BPA philosophy. It's somewhere in between your 'BPA at position of need' and 'BPA minus a few positions that are clearly not of need.'

 

[burmafrd]

pretty much what everyone does that has a brain. Now if you are absolutely loaded and have no real needs then you can go BPA. How often does THAT happen?