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TheDogCatcher · 03-28-2020, 10:53 PM

If I were a GM, these would be my guidelines.

Separate into tiers all players with rounds 1-2 grades. This connects BAP with NEED to increase the likelihood of selecting immediate starters.
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)
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.
For rounds 3-4, go pure BAP: graciously receive the gifts of players you have graded much higher who fall into your lap.
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).
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.
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.

Non-premium-position rules:

Avoid drafting limited, obvious sub-package players. They can be found in free agency or among undrafted free agency. For example, smallish nickel-only corners should be avoided because failed outside guys can be moved inside (e.g., Hayden, Dennard). This complements rule #6 above.
Special teams is not built through the draft. Therefore, never draft a kicker/punter/one-dimensional returnman, etc. If you're lacking a gunner/returnman/kicker/punter, sign one in free agency or undrafted free agency.
De-value G in rounds 1-2. Only draft projected 10-year starters/Pro Bowlers. Failed tackles can be moved guard.
De-value C in rounds 1-2. Only draft projected 10-year starters/Pro Bowlers. Failed guards can be moved to center.
De-value TE in rounds 1-2. Only draft projected 10-year starters/Pro Bowlers. Many take most of their rookie contract to develop. Sign a proven vet if one's not on the roster and fill in the rest of the TE group with developmental guys, hoping one will emerge.
De-value SS in rounds 1-3. A necessary but non-premium position.
De-value ILB in rounds 1-3. A necessary but non-premium position.

QB rules:

If your starting QB is Mahomes/Rogers in his prime, don't draft a QB in the first two rounds, even developmentally. Your Super Bowl window is wide open and you're probably drafting late because of your stellar QB play; therefore, surround your franchise guy with weapons. If a blue-chip QB prospect falls to you, try to trade out and net additional picks.
If your starting QB is not top 10 or clearly ascending to the top 10 (either subpar, inconsistent, or declining), draft a QB in the first two rounds every draft until you get it right. If you don't like the top QB prospects or you're simply not in range to draft them without mortgaging the future, bring in strong veteran competition (e.g., Nick Foles to compete/supplant Trubisky).
Final QB rule: Bradys and Minshews are rare. Don't draft backup QBs. Proven serviceable backups are fairly bountiful in free agency, and several former starters fall from grace every year (e.g., Bortles, Mariota). If a developmental QB falls in rounds 3-7, only draft him if you think he's a potential starter one day - i.e., you see some elite traits that everyone else is blind to for some reason.

"I am only an average man, but by George, I work harder at it than the average man." - Teddy Roosevelt