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Saccopoo Memorial Draft Forum>Baker's Dozen of Draft Donuts
kccrow 11:18 PM 03-27-2014
This started out as a bulleted list of things I think about in addressing the draft. I ended up with 13 bullets that reminded me of donuts. Maybe I've had a few too many brews... Feel free to argue with them or add to them.

Rule 1: If you need a starting QB, draft him in round 1.
Don't expect to get one anywhere else. If a QB doesn't have a first round grade, then he isn't likely going to become a starter. The odds go from bad to almost impossible once you get outside the top half of round 2. If you get one outside of round 1, consider yourself extremely fortunate, nearly to the point of you've won the lotto lucky.

Rule 2: Don't draft a backup QB in any round higher than round 4.
Why waste a premium pick on a backup at any position unless he's going to take over for an incumbent starter within two years? With that said, spending a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a QB seldom results in a starting caliber QB. Don't waste the pick.

Rule 3: Never draft an OL in the top 15 picks.
If you're drafting in the top 15, you need skill players that can make an impact for your football team. Get those guys and a serviceable offensive line. The Pittsburgh Steelers are time-tested proof that you don't have to go get lineman really early. Its a myth in the NFL that you need an All-Pro left tackle. It is nice, but far from necessary. Don't go chasing fool's gold. The best teams normally have average tackles, and you can get those types in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Guards can be had in every draft in the 3rd through 5th rounds. Unless he's a plug-and-play immediate starter, don't go chasing after guards early either. I played a long time as a lineman, and I struggle with this one.

Rule 4: Never draft a RB in the first 2 rounds.
There are always a plethora of serviceable backs available in the 3rd round or later of every draft. Additionally, backs have a short shelf life. Don't spend premium picks on a position you have to fill regularly and don't need a super star at to win games in the NFL. Remember, the NFL is a passing league, and passing effectively is the most critical statistic in correlation with win percentage.

Rule 5: Always draft production over potential in Round 1.
The NFL is a win now league, not a wait and see league. The guys that produce generally continue to produce. While you can catch lightning in a bottle, the sure thing is always the best thing. It is critical that round 1 yields a starter, don't waste the pick. Take your chances later. Watch tape, not stop watches.

Rule 6: Don't draft special teams players in the first 3 rounds.
Most of the time, you have 7 picks so why waste the ones you want to try and get starters out of on special teamers? You can fill your roster and get great kickers in round 4-7. Teams that forget this fact hurt their team's growth more often than not.

Rule 7: Draft for Scheme, not for Skills.
You're running a football team that must gel as a single unit. Draft players that fit what you're trying to do as a football team. If you draft players that don't fit because of measurable attributes and then try to adapt to them, you're going to fail.

Rule 8: Always draft to throw the ball or stop the pass first.
If you're a bad team, chances are you can't do either of these effectively. The only way to improve is to do this. Don't adhere to the philosophy that you need to run the ball and stop the run, it's been proven to be false in the NFL for over 25 years. That means you need a QB, WRs, and Pass Rushers before all else.

Rule 9: Draft WRs that run good routes and catch with their hands.
It doesn't really matter how fast they run (to an extent), how high they jump, nor any other metric, what matters most is that they can create separation and catch the ball. Drafting based primarily on speed more often hurts than helps. If in doubt, drafting for size is better.

Rule 10: Draft BPA at a Position of Need.
Never adhere to the philosophy that you draft the best player available, because that simply is not and should not be the case. If you do not have an immediate or near future need for a position, you shouldn't make a pick that won't improve your football team. If you're confident, a trade down attempt should be made. If that fails, improve your team. Remember though, look about 2 years into the future when projecting need. Remember, a player is only a reach in the eyes of pundits. If you need him, he's up on your board, and he fits your scheme, draft him.

Rule 11: Draft DL and OL that get off the snap quickly.
Nothing is more important than how quickly a player can release off the snap of the ball, and these two areas are most critical. To win at the point, you have to be the first to the point. Dumb it way down and think about who wins an arm wrestling match. Gaining initial leverage is everything.

Rule 12: Never draft a LB that can't cover.
No matter the scheme, you give away your defensive tendencies easily by not having LBs that can cover. If you run a 4-3 and you have a thumper at ILB, I'm going to execute the middle zone with crosses and inside hitches all day long. If you have a 3-4 and you rush an OLB most of the time because he is a liability in coverage, I'm going to swing to that flat more often. When you overcompensate to take those things away with other players, it leaves their responsibilities open and I adjust. LBs are undervalued, because they can dictate much of what the defense is able to do.

Rule 13: Draft physical, confident players.
All the athleticism or size in the world matters little if that player's demeanor is wrong. You have to draft physical, confident football players. Physical players show up on tape. If a corner won't stick his nose into a pile and try to take down a running back, don't draft him. I could go on, just make sure the player wants it.
[Reply]
htismaqe 12:13 PM 04-07-2021
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
I guess I was referring to reports that he has a 'high football IQ'.

That just seems like a Reid guy.
I'm honestly just being a bitter asshole.

Have I mentioned yet today that I hate living in Iowa? :-)
[Reply]
kcbubb 04:08 PM 04-07-2021
Originally Posted by kccrow:
Time to take a dose of my own medicine on the OT front.

Spencer Brown is my new draft crush for a LT in round 1.

He checks a few of my boxes and violates one.

OL outside of top 15 - check
Scheme fit - Check
Production over potential - Question mark. He was productive at his level and at RT but its more on potential at LT. Hmm
His production at LT is zero bc he played RT. So, I’d turn that question mark into a check. Another question would be, why didn’t he beat out the existing LT?

We need to link a gambling site to this bc I’d bet that brown is a late 2nd at the earliest, probably later. You don’t draft a LT or really any lineman early for how he performs in spandex!
[Reply]
kccrow 05:08 PM 04-08-2021
Originally Posted by kcbubb:
His production at LT is zero bc he played RT. So, I’d turn that question mark into a check. Another question would be, why didn’t he beat out the existing LT?

We need to link a gambling site to this bc I’d bet that brown is a late 2nd at the earliest, probably later. You don’t draft a LT or really any lineman early for how he performs in spandex!
lol. He's the 72nd rated player on NFL.com (Zeurlein), before spandex.

Josh Edwards at CBS mocked him to KC at 31 3 weeks ago.
A bunch of guys at SI have had him in the 1st, as high as 19 to Washington.
Matt Miller at Bleacher Report put him at 23 5 months ago.

So there have been instances of him in the 1st and plenty with him as a 2nd rounder.

I'd wager late 2nd would be the latest, not the earliest, and that was before he confirmed the tape didn't lie by putting up a monster workout.

You watch this kid for 30 seconds you'll see a guy that can move and pass block.

As for LT, I'm not sure why he didn't get that spot, that's up to the coaches. That said, they have a really good LT over there in Trevor Penning who's going to be an NFL player in my eyes and probably goes pretty high. He's also 6'7" 305 and moves well.
[Reply]
Chris Meck 05:12 PM 04-08-2021
Originally Posted by kccrow:
lol. He's the 72nd rated player on NFL.com (Zeurlein), before spandex.

Josh Edwards at CBS mocked him to KC at 31 3 weeks ago.
A bunch of guys at SI have had him in the 1st, as high as 19 to Washington.
Matt Miller at Bleacher Report put him at 23 5 months ago.

So there have been instances of him in the 1st and plenty with him as a 2nd rounder.

I'd wager late 2nd would be the latest, not the earliest, and that was before he confirmed the tape didn't lie by putting up a monster workout.

You watch this kid for 30 seconds you'll see a guy that can move and pass block.

As for LT, I'm not sure why he didn't get that spot, that's up to the coaches. That said, they have a really good LT over there in Trevor Penning who's going to be an NFL player in my eyes and probably goes pretty high. He's also 6'7" 305 and moves well.
you can't argue with him. Didn't you see The Blind Side?!

Right tackles are guys that couldn't play Left tackle!
[Reply]
The Franchise 05:18 PM 04-08-2021
Niang’s calves are too skinny!
[Reply]
Chris Meck 05:38 PM 04-08-2021
Originally Posted by The Franchise:
Niang’s calves are too skinny!
and can only step right and not left!
[Reply]
kccrow 06:10 PM 04-08-2021
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
you can't argue with him. Didn't you see The Blind Side?!

Right tackles are guys that couldn't play Left tackle!
haha. right?!

Apparently, he did not take note of Jedrick Wills only playing RT at Alabama but testing well athletically and becoming the Browns starter at LT.
[Reply]
htismaqe 07:40 AM 04-09-2021
I love how Mitchell Schwartz was a lamentable loss for the better part of 8 months but when he Tweetts that there's little difference between RT and LT, he's suddenly a dumbass.
[Reply]
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