(03-28-2020, 10:53 PM)TheDogCatcher Wrote: If I were a GM, these would be my guidelines.

1. Separate into tiers all players with rounds 1-2 grades. This connects BAP with NEED to increase the likelihood of selecting immediate starters.
   
2. If picking in the top half of round 1, target only premium spots -- QB, LT, DE, all-around DT, or CB -- unless a surefire elite non-premium-position player falls (e.g., Calvin Johnson)
   
3. Rounds 1-2 caveat (stolen from another poster): If a massively higher-rated player falls (like Allen last year), you pick him regardless of NEED. 
   
4. For rounds 3-4, go pure BAP: graciously receive the gifts of players you have graded much higher who fall into your lap.
   
5. For rounds 5-7, swing for the fence. Seek boom/bust projects with high upside, players who fell because of injury (e.g., Colvin), and players who fell because of character concerns (e.g., Westbrook). 
   
6. Always be looking for potential starters in each round, even in 5-7. Never "mail it in" by viewing the last rounds as the place to shore up special teams or add camp competition even if that's statistically likely the case. 
   
7. Always entertain trade-down offers to amass more picks. That's your base instinct. Trade up only for a blue-chip QB prospect or surefire generational talent at a premium position of glaring NEED. 
   

Massively agree with all your points, especially continuing to look for high-potential starters in the later rounds that carry risk. You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket. It'll be especially interesting to see if, as another poster suggested, GMs are much more wary on 'risk' players this year due to the lack of contact... Could be some guys falling that represent real boom/bust potential.

Also, I agree on the trading down front. Ultimately, draft pick success evens out across most teams... Even the teams that are generally perceived as good drafters have a massive amount of misses (Pats, Steelers). Having extra picks each year simply increases your potential of hitting on one of them. An argument could be made that, despite having 12 picks, the Jags shouldn't be looking to trade up and instead stay put, pick 12 players, and let the odds work in their favour.

One thing I would add, and I know full well that many will disagree, is that WR should also be considered a premium position that can be drafted at the top of the first round. Obviously, that only applies to truly elite prospects. I just feel that in today's NFL, the way to win is increasingly with a dynamic passing offense. Getting an elite talent at WR can be a massive advantage to that end. (Cue multiple posters bringing up the Titans and 49ers last year... I still stand by my point that in today's NFL, and even more so in tomorrow's NFL, the best way to consistently win is with a strong passing game).

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