(02-29-2024, 12:45 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(02-29-2024, 09:58 AM)Jaguarmeister Wrote: To add, just following your draft board without regard to how the draft is unfolding or without regard to positional strengths and weaknesses of a particular class will more likely than not have you leaving with a less optimal group of selections.

As an example, let’s say on your board the WR group of a given draft class is very strong and deep and defensive tackle has a big drop off after the first couple of guys and these two positions are also your biggest needs.  You’re on the clock in the late 1st.  There are 3 worthy receivers left on the board which you have graded at 90, 89 and 88.  There’s also one worthy DT left which you have graded at 85 and then the next guy after him is in the mid 70’s.  Other positional grades outside of WR top out in the high 70’s.  You pick again in the top half of the 2nd and there’s a decent chance that WR graded at 88 is still there.  What do you do in the 1st?  Do you risk missing out on one of those 3 highly rated WRs or do you stay true to your board and take the 90 grade and wind up with some mid guy at another position in the 2nd?  Add in that the 31 other big boards all have the players graded slightly differently if not significantly so.

I don't think there’s necessarily a right answer to the above scenario unless you can be assured of getting the DT and one of the 3 WRs, but you can’t be assured of that when you make the decision on how to spend your 1st.  It’s not as simple as just “following your board” or at least it shouldn’t be.  There are tough decisions like that regularly I’d think.  More so in the earlier rounds I’m sure.  If you just follow your board I think you’re gonna wind up getting finessed by other GMs and I’m generally a BAP guy.  Just obviously not pure BAP as I recognize where it could potentially steer you wrong.  Pure need is a recipe for disaster though.  You can just put me in the BADC (Best Available Draft Class) camp.

• Best available according to your board
  
• Positional Value
  
• Positional depth in particular draft class
  
• Prioritized Needs
  
• Projected depth of class at all of your needs 
  

If anyone is not accounting for ALL of these factors - they are bungling their draft. 
If any GM looks at a camera and tells you he's going to take the top player available from his board at every pick he is lying through his teeth. That's a fairy tale.