Quote:Overall nothing too earth shattering in there.  However the rumors of them wanting to move back up into the 1st were true.  I always wonder how stories like that get out.  Was Dave calling teams ahead of time in anticipation?  Did he tell the likes of Mort and Schefter?  Or did the teams Dave was calling?  

 

Also, I like their strategy of drafting need early and value late.  I remember Vic used to say the opposite which never made any sense to me.  I'd always shoot him a note and he never replied.  Early in the draft the talent of the players are all bunched together.  So "reaching" for a need isnt really reaching.  However late in the draft there are ALWAYS guys who thought were a 2nd or 3rd round pick that for whatever reason are still on the board in the 5th and sometimes 6th round.  

 

That stood out to me, too.

 

Here's the logic behind it... the players you draft in the first three rounds you expect to be starters.  Rounds four and after aren't likely to be around in three years, if they even make the roster.

 

So, if you're expecting starting caliber talent, use them to fill holes.

 

Of the rounds not expected to even make the team, take the very best available so they have a better shot at actually making the team and contributing.

 

It sounds counter-intuitive, but it makes sense when you dig deeper.  Even if a guy isn't what you thought, he can still contribute until he's replaced.  You can never expect to fill a hole with a late round guy as well as you can a more talented guy earlier.

 

Nothing is guaranteed, but that increases your chances of drafting contributors in all rounds.

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