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Draft Philosophies & Strategies

dbspi

Waterboy
I thought it'd be kind of fun to see what everyone's draft philosophies/strategies were in general.

Quarterbacks:

Running Backs:

Wide Receivers:

Tight Ends:

Offensive Line:

Defensive Line:

Linebackers:

Defensive Backs:

Special Teams:

Coaching/Overall:
 
My first round...

Quarterbacks: Only draft Jamarcus Russell if he falls to us at 8.

Running Backs: Only draft AP at 8, Lynch with trade down (w/ 2nd rd pick included)

Wide Receivers:Calvin Johnson at 8...best player in draft but we need tons of other stuff.

Tight Ends: no.

Offensive Line: Joe Thomas at 8, warming up to Levi Brown with a trade down

Defensive Line: I like Jamaal Anderson and Gaines Adams. Alan Branch at 8 too if he would play well in our 4-3.

Linebackers: Patrick Willis with trade down plus 2nd or 3rd rounder added. thats it.

Defensive Backs: LaRon Landry, Reggie Nelson..don't know about at 8, depends whose still on the board..I'd probably take landry but not real sure. Leon Hall, Darrelle Revis with trade down...not at 8

Special Teams: Michael Griffin only if we traded our #8 for both of the Patriots 1st rders. He could also play safety. obvious no kicker/punter in 1st

Coaching/Overall: i really like what kubiak and rick smith our doing. I like the whole coaching shake up. i think rick smith and kubiak will get us a really good draft in a few months. I'm interested what we address in FA. This team is really going to be VASTLY improved from 05 and I really think much improved from 06. Record wise I don't see us winning more than 10 games next year but our team will be so much better and young.

I know this isn't exactly what you were asking about..probably....but it was intneresting to do.

So I guess here's my list in no particular order for our 1st round pick included if we trade down:

Jamarcus Russell
Adrian Peterson
Marshawn Lynch
Calvin Johnson
Joe Thomas
Levi Brown
Jamaal Anderson
Gaines Adams
Alan Branch
Patrick Willis
LaRon Landry
Reggie Nelson
Leon Hall
Darrelle Revis

That means we can trade back 6 spots and still get one of these players..probably have a choice of maybe 3 or 4 of them.
 
I thought it'd be kind of fun to see what everyone's draft philosophies/strategies were in general.

Quarterbacks:troy smith

Running Backs:ap or bush

Wide Receivers:calvin if he falls

Tight Ends:none

Offensive Line:joe thomas if he falls,

Defensive Line:adams or branch

Linebackers:plunuszny??????

Defensive Backs:landry, nelson, hughes (realistically in the 3rd rd)

Special Teams:griffin

Coaching/Overall:

there is my pick but i really want landry in the first then smith in the 2nd and then hughes in 3rd
 
Quarterbacks: Quarterbacks are a delicate pick. You have to have the right guy for your system who can stay composed and lead your team. Top QB's go early for a reason. Some slip thorough, but this isn't a position I'd like to gamble that chance on for my team.

Running Backs: Dime a dozen. I can find plently of guys outside the first round like Portis or Stephen Jackson, and plenty of guys outside the first day like Chris Taylor and DD/DW. I prefer speed backs for the system we run, and I like my RB's to be able to turn it on after their cuts. Vision is important. I don't like guys like Lundy who insist on running into the pile at the LOS expect to break throuh 10 300+ lb men.

Wide Receivers: This is a tricky position. There are bona-fide studs that will go top of the draft. See AJ, Moss, and CJ. There will be guys who just produce like Rice and Colston. This is a toss up, and it come down more to the little aspects of football and the desire to take the ball regardless of the placement. It is a fine line that seperates the Mike Williams and Charles Rogers from the Marvin Harrisons and Chad Johnson's of the league. (Could just be a Detroit thing as well.)

Tight Ends: My philosophy with TE's is that unless there is a K2 available, you can wait a while with them. I'm not a big fan of TE's running 20 yard routes, and I happen to be a TE. I prefer a TE who is a big target and knows how to block. TE's should run crosses and zone patterns. Hands can be taught through repitition for the most part. Bruener can catch, he just isn't given credit by posters on this board who just typed what they have heard.

Offensive Line: This again is tricky. LT's come first round. Charles Spencer was never a LT in my mind. LT's are a delicate pick, as it is a mental game, but I have started paying more attention to their success in college. McNeil gave up like 2 sacks at Auburn. Gaither has given up 1 sack in 2 years. Production is important along with top ability. OG's are what complicates it on the O-line. There are some guys who could go top 10 like with Oilers. The elite OG's usually go late first to mid second these days. Guards can be developed though. Logan Makins was an early pick and is one of my favorites. Christ Snee was a later pick and has developed. Centers can range the whole draft. Most of the elite go early, like Bently and Mangold. Some guys emerge like Saturday. I prefer my centers to be intelligent but able to hold up at the point of attack. I prefer my OG's to be a little closer to the mauler side, who can dominate at the POA. I think Spencer is an OG, and that may be why. My LT should be a dominant finesse guy who understands how to mirror a guy. RT's should be along the Mauler line as well, but not so much as to mimick Todd Wade. I prefer my center, LG, and LT to be better at pass protection than my right side, but both should hold their own in either aspect.

Defensive Line: I prefer a complete DE, as we have in Mario. I then believe in a speed rusher with decent size. A bigger Freeny if you will. This year, I like Moss for that role. At DT I prefer athletic guys as opposed to just size. I believe in shooting the gaps hard and attacking the ball, be it with the QB or the RB. Shoot the gaps and make the play at the LOS. I don't like a DT to just stand the interior linemen up unless I'm bringing a blitz. Doing that allows the offense to win, because my DT is tied us as the RB blows by him. That is failure to me. I want my DT's to shed and stay in the gaps. Penatrare. Fire off the ball. When in a 4-point stance, my DT should be almost to the gap by the time the O-linemen can start to slide over. Head on a swivel. That is my preference.

Linebackers: I have never been a huge fan of dropping LB's into coverage. If the TE splits, ok. At worst, an OLB can flag the RB/HB. I prefer aggressive LB's. A lot of people put knocks on a LB because of size, but size in a LB means little to me. I'll take a DeMeco and Lafu over a Chad Greenway. I like my MLB to be the leader of the defense. I want my MLB to be a force, and I think we have that. I prefer a MLB who just makes plays and gives his all every play. I like my OLB's to have a little more speed, but I am just as happy to have a big SAM who knows how to make plays. WILL is the OLB who I want to be slightly undersized by design. Think of a "DOG" or "ROVER" as opposed to OLB. I want an OLB who has the speed to catch a RB on the other side of the field. I believe that measurable guys go 1st round, and the type of guy I like goes a little later, some times second day.

Defensive Backs: Measurables do mean something here, but not as much as people make them out as. I want my FS leading my DB's. I prefer a fast, ball hawking FS who can play the CF type role. From my SS, I look for guys who could play OLB in a pinch. I want someone who can support the run, as I prefer to play the SS up a little more, not necissarilly in the box, but up. I think Glen Earl is what I'm looking for in a SS. I usually wouldn't take one first day for SS's, but I almost have to take a FS early. CB's is almost a neccisity to have 2 good to great players. Daunta might be able to pass as good with a complete backfield, but he is not a #1 CB. #1 CB's are a priority, and are taken first round, but if the chance is there to sign a premier CB from FA, I pounce. I think Samuels or Clements make a much bigger impact than a rookie CB. I generally don't believe in throwing a rookie CB to the wolves, and I like to work them in as a NB and on special teams.

Special Teams: This is all heart. This is desire. There is no "more talented" special teamer, it is about who wants to earn playing time the most. This is where a lot of guys make a name and earn their stripes. I want those guys. The only 3 exceptions to this are PK, P, and LS...none of which I would draft.


Coaching/Overall: I am moderatly aggressive in my style and prefer players who reflect that view. I trust myself as a scout to evaluate talent for what I like and what I feel best fits our team. I love guys with great measurables, but I don't seperate them into "elite, great, all-pro" or stuff like that. The guys who are fairly close in most aspects are given priority, and I then prefer to draft the guy I feel will produce the most, and a lot of that is based on how they produced before. Winners win, and losing is a habit. Jimmy Johnson has an interesting late round stratagy: When two players grade out equally, take the bigger of the two.
 
Quarterbacks: Quarterbacks are a delicate pick. You have to have the right guy for your system who can stay composed and lead your team. Top QB's go early for a reason. Some slip thorough, but this isn't a position I'd like to gamble that chance on for my team.

Running Backs: Dime a dozen. I can find plently of guys outside the first round like Portis or Stephen Jackson, and plenty of guys outside the first day like Chris Taylor and DD/DW. I prefer speed backs for the system we run, and I like my RB's to be able to turn it on after their cuts. Vision is important. I don't like guys like Lundy who insist on running into the pile at the LOS expect to break throuh 10 300+ lb men.

Wide Receivers: This is a tricky position. There are bona-fide studs that will go top of the draft. See AJ, Moss, and CJ. There will be guys who just produce like Rice and Colston. This is a toss up, and it come down more to the little aspects of football and the desire to take the ball regardless of the placement. It is a fine line that seperates the Mike Williams and Charles Rogers from the Marvin Harrisons and Chad Johnson's of the league. (Could just be a Detroit thing as well.)

Tight Ends: My philosophy with TE's is that unless there is a K2 available, you can wait a while with them. I'm not a big fan of TE's running 20 yard routes, and I happen to be a TE. I prefer a TE who is a big target and knows how to block. TE's should run crosses and zone patterns. Hands can be taught through repitition for the most part. Bruener can catch, he just isn't given credit by posters on this board who just typed what they have heard.

Offensive Line: This again is tricky. LT's come first round. Charles Spencer was never a LT in my mind. LT's are a delicate pick, as it is a mental game, but I have started paying more attention to their success in college. McNeil gave up like 2 sacks at Auburn. Gaither has given up 1 sack in 2 years. Production is important along with top ability. OG's are what complicates it on the O-line. There are some guys who could go top 10 like with Oilers. The elite OG's usually go late first to mid second these days. Guards can be developed though. Logan Makins was an early pick and is one of my favorites. Christ Snee was a later pick and has developed. Centers can range the whole draft. Most of the elite go early, like Bently and Mangold. Some guys emerge like Saturday. I prefer my centers to be intelligent but able to hold up at the point of attack. I prefer my OG's to be a little closer to the mauler side, who can dominate at the POA. I think Spencer is an OG, and that may be why. My LT should be a dominant finesse guy who understands how to mirror a guy. RT's should be along the Mauler line as well, but not so much as to mimick Todd Wade. I prefer my center, LG, and LT to be better at pass protection than my right side, but both should hold their own in either aspect.

Defensive Line: I prefer a complete DE, as we have in Mario. I then believe in a speed rusher with decent size. A bigger Freeny if you will. This year, I like Moss for that role. At DT I prefer athletic guys as opposed to just size. I believe in shooting the gaps hard and attacking the ball, be it with the QB or the RB. Shoot the gaps and make the play at the LOS. I don't like a DT to just stand the interior linemen up unless I'm bringing a blitz. Doing that allows the offense to win, because my DT is tied us as the RB blows by him. That is failure to me. I want my DT's to shed and stay in the gaps. Penatrare. Fire off the ball. When in a 4-point stance, my DT should be almost to the gap by the time the O-linemen can start to slide over. Head on a swivel. That is my preference.

Linebackers: I have never been a huge fan of dropping LB's into coverage. If the TE splits, ok. At worst, an OLB can flag the RB/HB. I prefer aggressive LB's. A lot of people put knocks on a LB because of size, but size in a LB means little to me. I'll take a DeMeco and Lafu over a Chad Greenway. I like my MLB to be the leader of the defense. I want my MLB to be a force, and I think we have that. I prefer a MLB who just makes plays and gives his all every play. I like my OLB's to have a little more speed, but I am just as happy to have a big SAM who knows how to make plays. WILL is the OLB who I want to be slightly undersized by design. Think of a "DOG" or "ROVER" as opposed to OLB. I want an OLB who has the speed to catch a RB on the other side of the field. I believe that measurable guys go 1st round, and the type of guy I like goes a little later, some times second day.

Defensive Backs: Measurables do mean something here, but not as much as people make them out as. I want my FS leading my DB's. I prefer a fast, ball hawking FS who can play the CF type role. From my SS, I look for guys who could play OLB in a pinch. I want someone who can support the run, as I prefer to play the SS up a little more, not necissarilly in the box, but up. I think Glen Earl is what I'm looking for in a SS. I usually wouldn't take one first day for SS's, but I almost have to take a FS early. CB's is almost a neccisity to have 2 good to great players. Daunta might be able to pass as good with a complete backfield, but he is not a #1 CB. #1 CB's are a priority, and are taken first round, but if the chance is there to sign a premier CB from FA, I pounce. I think Samuels or Clements make a much bigger impact than a rookie CB. I generally don't believe in throwing a rookie CB to the wolves, and I like to work them in as a NB and on special teams.

Special Teams: This is all heart. This is desire. There is no "more talented" special teamer, it is about who wants to earn playing time the most. This is where a lot of guys make a name and earn their stripes. I want those guys. The only 3 exceptions to this are PK, P, and LS...none of which I would draft.


Coaching/Overall: I am moderatly aggressive in my style and prefer players who reflect that view. I trust myself as a scout to evaluate talent for what I like and what I feel best fits our team. I love guys with great measurables, but I don't seperate them into "elite, great, all-pro" or stuff like that. The guys who are fairly close in most aspects are given priority, and I then prefer to draft the guy I feel will produce the most, and a lot of that is based on how they produced before. Winners win, and losing is a habit. Jimmy Johnson has an interesting late round stratagy: When two players grade out equally, take the bigger of the two.

Pretty good YTF, matches up with my thoughts very well.
 
Quarterbacks: Most important position on the field. If you can get a good one then you do it. I dont fault the Texans on Carr. If he had a better situation he may have succeeded.

Running Backs: If you can get a game breaker then its worth the pick. Otherwise go with the Denver logic.

Wide Receivers: Hard position to contribute right off. I'd say give me a QB first before I start drafting WR's high.

Tight Ends: Underrated position IMO. Willing to go over the middle. A place the Texans rarely go.

Offensive Line: #1 most important position on the field.

Defensive Line: #2 most important position on the field (only #2 because you have LB's and S behind to catch mistakes)

Linebackers: You cannot go wrong by having 3 great LB's. See Denver. Gives you lots of flexibility in the way you can play D.

Defensive Backs: If you have a good to great front 7 then you can get by with less. See NE Patriots vs Cincy this year when most of their secondary was out and they destroyed.

I will say that both Safety positions have been ignored on this team. A good FS can change a game. If the Texans wanted a true playmaker on D then this may be the position to go for. I just think #8 is a bit high for a FS.

Special Teams: I think you go for guys that excelled in college but may not be suited for playing their position in the NFL. Guys like Izzo. The guy I like in this draft for this role is Sam Olajubutu. Small in size. Big in heart.

Coaching/Overall: I'll take a GM who can draft. Hopefully we have one.
 
I will try a different approach that hopefully will be easier to read.

Round 1: (A)Jamaal Anderson (B)Gaines Adams (C) Adrian Peterson
This in keeping with Kubiaks #1 high prioity of getting a pass rush from from the front four. IF they are gone, Kubiak's #2 adding a playmaker to the offense.

Round 2: What surprise will fall in our laps, Griffin, Timmons, Bowe, Bush, Houston. IF AP is selected look for Charles Johnson, Moss, Moses, Abiari, Carriker.

Round 3: Kubiak said Spencer before his injury was going to be the left tackle here for many many years. Backup plan just in case Joe Staley.
Then a safety or RBs Irons or Darius Walker, LBs Alexander or Everett.

Day 2 = BPA, take players rated highest on the draft board.
 
My draft philosophy is based on a few principles...

1) You draft players that were either team leaders or extremely productive in college. Don't take chances on "could-be"s. (system production can be the only exception to this rule and should be tested by the player's raw talent)

2) You draft best player available, but make your list short and well tailored to your team philosophy. All positions are important, but value players appropriately according to their standard positional value.

3) Do not skip better talent because of a logjam at important, dynamic positions. In other words, draft that stud DE or RB even if you are already doing OK at the position (depth is a good thing there), but try to avoid this situation if the former player is still young.

4) Impact D-linemen are never found in the late rounds - Planet Theory is truth.
 
Pretty close to mine. Guessing a little bit here.

QB- Always looking for the most accurate guy first. You can win a supper bowl with a weak armed accurate QB. Montana proved that in spades.
My QB last year is Cuttler. Here's why. He had the strongest arm out of the three bar none. Which ment you get in a late season game and you're QB is going against a fifteen mile an hour head wind, you don't necessarlilly have to wait every other quater to throw the ball. Quickness is above speed. But speed, the ablity to pull down the ball on a broken play and pick up positive yards is nice. And he is very acurate with the ball. Always.

Running back- You always take a frachise RB when you get the chance. A rotation is nice. But the rare ones only come around once in a while they can make a difference. Always looking for the guy that is a cut above the rest. Durablilty, speed, feild vision. Can't teach the last two . Either a guy has it or he doesn't. I passed on Bush last year because of durablity. So that is the other thing. Before you put yourself in cap hades...they gotta have all three.


OLT. Your looking for a guy...1. has the quick elite feet. 2. The guy moves like a balerina when doing his foot work on a speed rusher. Effortlessly. Always with his pads over his butt.
3. He MUST have the ablity to drop his hips and deliver a pop on the bull rush. That is not bend forward and over reach and loose his balance. Once you lean or lunge...you're dead against a good speed rusher.
4. Long arms ..again leverage, leverage, and more leverage. Just as Mario was having trouble extending his arms getting the OT's off of his body, the same is true for our OLT canidate. Long arms are a must. He must have the leverage to push the pass rusher off his move and off of his body. I think this is the thing that will keep Erick Winston on the right side.
5. Strength. He doesn't have to be a super strong guy. But he has to have strength to deliver a pop out of his stance on a running play.
To find all of this on one guy is a rare duck indeed. That's why they are paid what they are paid.

WR- Is the guy a hands snatcher or a body trapper ? Speed is nice. Route running, moves...you can teach that. Bottom line is the guy a natural hands catcher ? A.J. was a body trapper when we drafted him. he has worked very hard improving this. His hands are very nice. Natural and soft. And yet he still has a tendency trapping the ball agaisnt his body instaed of snatching the ball out of the air with his hands. Why he does this...some guys are natural at this and some have to work at that. I wouldn't trade AJ for anyone in the League, I'd rather have a hard working team guy than a natural pass hands guy. He has worked very hard making himself into an elite reciever. 1. Natural Hands. 2. Vision and body controll 3. Speed. 4. Route running.

As far as the round thingy...Take the elite guys, strongest, fastest, quickest, rarest first. Doesn't matter where they play. But always with the unberstanding that Eliete OLTs, Cover corners, Speed rushing three down DE's/LB's are going off the board early and often.. Protect the QB, get the QB, Defend the QB. Then the Franchise back, then the elite reciever, Elite Linebackers, then the beasties on the interior lines. TBS, Alan Branch is a rare beastie...He is rare enough to spend an eight on IMHO. 6'6" 325, who has quickness and can colapse a pocket.. isn't sexy but it works. So does Levi Brown. So is Ohkoye a rare bird. ninteen years old, 287 with elite quickness for a big man. . Always with the understanding that if you pass a guy...he may not be there with the next pick. Always with the question if I pass this guy is the next guy at this need a significant drop that I can't take the chance. I'm All for BPA...but sometimes to be rigid with it is more foolish than exercising it. Buffallo got the guy they wanted in Whitaker. Would he have been on the board if they waited untill the second ? They didn't want to take the chance. Prudent not rigid.
 
Here's a good example of what I meant. I just took few position to show what I meant in my initial thread and get feed backs from all of you as to what all of you think.


Quarterbacks:

- Not a big fan of first round/day quarterbacks
- About a 50-50 bust rate in the first round
- More concerned with toughness, intelligence, accuracy
- Like to see a high completion percentage that improves each year

Running Backs:

- Top 10-15 running backs are great picks
- Less to digest/adjust to = low bust rate
- Fan of multi-back systems (e.g. Colts, Patriots, Bears, Saints)
- Good idea to get 3DRB/goal line running backs on the second day

Special Teams:

- Special teamers are great 6th-7th round picks
- Special teams should be more appreciated instead of an afterthought
- An explosive return specialist can change a game
- Field position is key, and a bad snap/hold can ruin a game

Coaching/Overall:

- Production over potential, BPA over need
- Can take more chances on projects when you have a good staff
- Don't draft someone who doesn't fit into your system
- Poor coaches are risking their jobs by drafting projects over safe picks
 
Quarterbacks: 4th Round: Jeff Smoker, Chris Leak, Troy Smith. Whoever is available

Running Backs: Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch if he falls to us in second or if we trade down.

Wide Receivers: Maybe a speed guy in the 5th round.

Tight Ends: None

Offensive Line: An offensive tackle in the third round. A center in the 7th

Defensive Line: Alan Branch is my second choice if AP isn't available.

Linebackers: 2nd round, paul po., patrick willis, or rufus alexander. Any of these guys would be great.

Defensive Backs: If AP and Branch are gone, than Laron Landry. I am not a big fan of any of the corners in this draft.

Special Teams: Punter in the 6th round. Maybe a return man in our receiver pick later in the draft.

Coaching/Overall: Coaching wise I would like to bring in that assistant from the cardinals, he teaches his defense very well to force turnovers and attack the ball, something we need, plus he adds another veteran to our coaching staff. And in my opinion, the more coaches the better, just make sure they are on the same page.

So this is what mine looks like:
1st: AP/Branch/Landry
2nd: OLB
3rd: OLine
4th: QB
5th: WR
6th: Punter
7th: Oline
 
Quarterbacks: 4th Round: Jeff Smoker, Chris Leak, Troy Smith. Whoever is available

Running Backs: Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch if he falls to us in second or if we trade down.

Wide Receivers: Maybe a speed guy in the 5th round.

Tight Ends: None

Offensive Line: An offensive tackle in the third round. A center in the 7th

Defensive Line: Alan Branch is my second choice if AP isn't available.

Linebackers: 2nd round, paul po., patrick willis, or rufus alexander. Any of these guys would be great.

Defensive Backs: If AP and Branch are gone, than Laron Landry. I am not a big fan of any of the corners in this draft.

Special Teams: Punter in the 6th round. Maybe a return man in our receiver pick later in the draft.

Coaching/Overall: Coaching wise I would like to bring in that assistant from the cardinals, he teaches his defense very well to force turnovers and attack the ball, something we need, plus he adds another veteran to our coaching staff. And in my opinion, the more coaches the better, just make sure they are on the same page.

So this is what mine looks like:
1st: AP/Branch/Landry
2nd: OLB
3rd: OLine
4th: QB
5th: WR
6th: Punter
7th: Oline

The original poster wasn't asking for guys in each round, just philosophies. Not specific plyers, just what you look for from each position.
 
QB: I like guys that are confident, who know they are the best or one of the best at what they do. That is huge. Accuracy over arm strength. It does not matter if you can throw it 80 yards if you cant hit the reciever. Intelligence is another need. Mobility is good, but not neccesarily a scrambler, just someone who can avoid the rush and throw on the run.

RB: These can be difficult. I love guys who can dominate the game. Ideally someone with power and speed, but when push comes to shove, I would grab power. Hands are important, but will not be a deciding factor, unless two guys are identical. Along with this is how well the see the holes. That and agility are underrated, but essential to a runningback.

WR: Can be very hit or miss. Hands are the first thing. They need to be able to catch. Then comes speed/agility/body control. These are what gets the reciever open. After that would be size, and hops. This is to out muscle the defender. Route running can be taught.

TE: A good blocker, both pass and run. Should be able to catch, but not a real recieving threat.

OL: Strength and footspeed are important. Must be mean. Size is good, as long as it does not mess with the agilty. I dont really know that much about OL, so thats all I am gonna put.

DL: These guys also have to be mean, and love inflicting punishment. Preferably, the DE's are great all around, can stop the run and rush the passer. A backup DE must be a good passrusher. The DT must be great against the run. Pass rushing is a bonus.

LB: Also mean guys. The MLB should be a leader. I dont really care how big they are, as long as they just look to hit. At least one of the OLB's should be an above average rusher. All should be able to cover, a little. No more than 15 maybe 20 yards.

DB: CB's need to be quick, and a willing tackler. Hands are good as well. Safeties need to be like quicker linebackers who can cover.

Special Teams: Fast agile returner. Accurate kicker. Strong legged punter.

Coaching: Aggressive is good. Be original, and experiment a little. Throw the opposite team out of whack.
 
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