January 10, 2008

Where Do NFL Teams Spend Their Picks? : A look at where NFL teams have spent their draft picks over the last dozen years and whether concentrating on particular areas tends to improve them.

read story | posted by yerfatma to Football at 7:30 AM CDT (11 comments total)

Starts about 7 paragraphs in, right above the "Quarterback" header.

Comment icon posted by yerfatma at 7:31 AM CDT on January 10

Thanks. That's an interesting read. I read the whole thing wishing I could see the raw data and attempt to come to my own conclusions. Of course, over the range of seasons of that study, there are very few teams who have been either good or bad the entire time. Perhaps there is a way to combine what a team does on a yearly basis with how long it normally takes players to pay off at the NFL level (probably position specific).

Comment icon posted by bender at 8:18 AM CDT on January 10

This story is just another example of how the teams that really have top-notch scouts and personnel people are the ones using the draft to build winners. Looking at the drafting of quarterbacks, for example. How many of the "big names" at QB over the past several years coming out of college have either struggled year after year or been complete flops in the NFL. The story talks about how Bill Walsh was concerned with getting a quarterback that would fit into a "no-fail" offensive system instead of trying to fit the top-pick, first rounder into their system. Jeff Garcia is a good example. But looking at some of the QBs who are coming out of nowhere, seemingly, to succeed while the Ryan Leaf's, Tim Couch's, and Akili Smith's are out of the game almost immediately. Looking back on how the first round in drafts have gone several years later is always fun and interesting, but looking at where some of the impact starters were drafted, or discovered, shows you more of how a winning team is built.

Comment icon posted by dyams at 8:47 AM CDT on January 10

Fatty, thanks for a really good read. I had seen bits and pieces about draft philosophies, the value of picks, and so forth, but had never seen an overall look at it like this. The talking heads at ESPN and the NFL Network ought to be replaced by Mr. Barnwell.

Comment icon posted by Howard_T at 10:31 AM CDT on January 10

Not once did I see my beloved Chiefs in that article, which confirms my belief that they are, in fact, underwhelming.

Comment icon posted by hawkguy at 10:36 AM CDT on January 10

They showed up drafting Tony Gonzalez, but that's about it.

Comment icon posted by yerfatma at 10:40 AM CDT on January 10

I think I'm drunk on football geekery, and I love it.

I was just talking to a friend last night about how bad the Dolphins are, and how the only positive I was looking forward to next year was that we shouldn't have to draft another running back, with Brown, Williams, Chatman and Booker around. Then, I began reciting the laundry list of running backs we've had since The Andra Franklin Era; looking at the article, I realize now I forgot a few. Then again, the majority of them have been quite forgettable.

Thanks for an interesting read, Fats.

Comment icon posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:51 AM CDT on January 10

Great thread Fatty. I read an article on Arkansas running back Darren McFadden getting involved in another disturbance this week. This is the second time for the guy in two years. His situation brings back an issue that I often wonder about. How do teams that draft well rate character as a draft factor relative to teams that do not draft well and how do the good drafting teams determine what character is and who they talk to have what they are looking for?

I have to admit that if I was a draft coordinator and had the final decision, if I had the McFadden pick, I would trade down for several players and pass him up. He looks good in college but appears to be headed for trouble as a PRO, with lots of money and little common sense.

Comment icon posted by Cave_Man at 11:52 AM CDT on January 10

The Lions have spent 8453.6 points of draft value on wideouts. The next closest are the Jets, who have spent 5172.3 points of draft value.

Ouch.

Comment icon posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 2:16 PM CDT on January 10

I don't know the answer for sure, but Matt Millen doesn't seem to have a clue either....

Comment icon posted by aMAIZEd Mark at 2:52 PM CDT on January 10

I don't know the answer for sure, but Matt Millen doesn't seem to have a clue either....


He drafts on reputation in college. Other teams have picked wide receivers (and in particular, linebackers) well into the late rounds of the draft and those players have become the stars that we see dominating the game today.

Millen's solution should be to study past drafts of every team and the reason why their players worked out, were so-so or busts.

To disclose something. I am from New England and have occasionally gotten after the fact information about the Patriots' draft choices. Everyone knows the story of Tom Brady (late, late round choice), but the draft choice that had me scratching my head when they made it was Logan Mankins. I was not sure that the Mankins choice should not have been used on a defensive back, linebacker or wide reciever, all of which the Patriots seemed to have needed more at the time. The Patriots could not have been more right in their choices, they got the receivers, DBs and backers that they needed and Mankins became an instant fixture in their offensive line and now is a Pro Bowl OFL after something like three seasons.

Comment icon posted by Cave_Man at 3:23 PM CDT on January 10

« older The Meat In An Ineptitude Sand… If you don't do what I say, I'… newer »

This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments.