If you started a football team..... (1 Viewer)

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Lets say there is 32 of us having a NFL Draft with every position available.

Which positions are most important to you?

1) The most important is quarterback. They guide the offense on every play and make or break the game for the entire team. They control turnovers and that is the most crucial category in football.

2 and 3) Next would be DT, actually both DT's. Why? Because football is always won inside out (something Reggie Bush has yet to realize). The play always starts in the middle and then bounces (something MJD can do). If the interior of the offensive line is constantly disrupted and the DT's are penetrating into the backfield....their will be little success for the offense. DT's can have a huge effect on the Run game, but also the pass game by constantly putting pressure on the quarterback. They cannot be avoided as easily (think a great defensive end that is constantly chasing a play b/c the offense runs away from him). Also by having two great DT's one cannot be constantly double teamed and they can play off of each others play (think Henderson and Stroud.....Kevin Williams and Pat Williams).

4) This one I could take heat from....but its Center. They are the Quarterback of the offensive line and are always adjusting calls depending on the defensive front. They will move the DT's and create running lanes for the RB. Also the great Center will get to the second level and perfect combo blocks with the Guards to the Linebackers. People would argue LT, which is important....but they can be helped by chip blocks from RB's and TE's staying in to help a speed rusher.

5) Free Saftey. In the now Cover two NFL, having fast and smart saftey's is essential. Picture being a CB and matched up against Randy Moss. That would be a very difficult task, however if you had Ed Reed behind you....that confidence would allow you to take risks that you normally wouldn't take. This saftey could cover half the field easily....catch players from behind. Also they would make touchdown saving tackles in the second level if a RB got there.

Those are my top 5. I am curious as to what others think are the most important on a football team.

 

[Slinger]

QB, DE, OL who blocks the QB's blind side.

 

[Gottabesweet]

LT, QB, DT

 

[Jous]

QB, DT/NT, LT

 

[Mr. Peterson]

A good blindside OT is more important than a good DT.

I think a franchise QB would be next.

Then I'm not sure. I could go DT or DE. So lets just say DL.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Games are won and lost in the trenches.

Just like most sports, it starts in the middle, but the LT is key as well.

Biggest positions - LT, QB, C, DL/NT/DT, MLB, RB, SS

QB is only that high (at #2) because he can single-handedly change a game for you, whereas not having one doesn't always cost you (see Trent Dilfer / Baltimore Ravens).

 

[tehzig]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.

Consider this post number seven and mention number three. I'd put center at #2 behind only quarterback.

 

[Baby New Year]

I don't know if I have to break it down by position, but I'd start with offensive line. While QB, as an individual, may be more significant than an individual on the line, I'd rather have an average game managing QB behind an awesome O line, than trying to play any 'skill' positions behind a crap O line. After that it would be D line or QB, depending on my choices at QB, I guess. I don't think I'd want to live with an absolute crap QB just to get a good D line.

Really, a lot of these kind of questions are about as meaningful as trying to spell your name using only numbers, because football is such a team sport, and you probably don't want crap at any position. But, I'd want to build from the lines before I worried about anything else. A good offensive line makes everyone on offense look good.

 

[gregjcross]

1) QB -- A great one influences both the offense and defense by keeping one on the field and the other off it2) DE -- Gets the offense back on field with sacks, holds the outside, it takes a special player3) OL -- OT/OC - see 1 -- great OTs make for consistent offensive production4) LB -- Th entirely underrated position -- the ultimate disruptors see players in prime like LT, Seau, Urlacher, 5) WR - A necessity but QBs often make them look great 6) CB - team built with above can live with ones that are not superstars7) DT - justifiably could be higher seeing the influence of Haynesworth, and the JAX duo8) RB - special ones are difference makers but not essential for success9) TE 10) Safety - can be argued both ways

Lets say there is 32 of us having a NFL Draft with every position available.Which positions are most important to you?1) The most important is quarterback. They guide the offense on every play and make or break the game for the entire team. They control turnovers and that is the most crucial category in football.2 and 3) Next would be DT, actually both DT's. Why? Because football is always won inside out (something Reggie Bush has yet to realize). The play always starts in the middle and then bounces (something MJD can do). If the interior of the offensive line is constantly disrupted and the DT's are penetrating into the backfield....their will be little success for the offense. DT's can have a huge effect on the Run game, but also the pass game by constantly putting pressure on the quarterback. They cannot be avoided as easily (think a great defensive end that is constantly chasing a play b/c the offense runs away from him). Also by having two great DT's one cannot be constantly double teamed and they can play off of each others play (think Henderson and Stroud.....Kevin Williams and Pat Williams).4) This one I could take heat from....but its Center. They are the Quarterback of the offensive line and are always adjusting calls depending on the defensive front. They will move the DT's and create running lanes for the RB. Also the great Center will get to the second level and perfect combo blocks with the Guards to the Linebackers. People would argue LT, which is important....but they can be helped by chip blocks from RB's and TE's staying in to help a speed rusher.5) Free Saftey. In the now Cover two NFL, having fast and smart saftey's is essential. Picture being a CB and matched up against Randy Moss. That would be a very difficult task, however if you had Ed Reed behind you....that confidence would allow you to take risks that you normally wouldn't take. This saftey could cover half the field easily....catch players from behind. Also they would make touchdown saving tackles in the second level if a RB got there.Those are my top 5. I am curious as to what others think are the most important on a football team.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

LT, QB, DT, CB.

Center is probably not far behind.

I put LT ahead of QB because without a good LT (or rest of the line for that matter, but especially the LT) you may as well not bother with investing in a QB.

 

[Slinger]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.

Teams can do fine with an average center.

 

[3nOut]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.Consider this post number seven and mention number three. I'd put center at #2 behind only quarterback.

whats terrible is that you put QB first. without a good OL, that QB does nobody any good on his rear end. its also nice to see that noone has mentioned RB yet.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.

Teams can do fine with an average center.

Really??? Who makes the calls to change blocking assignments, most of the time? How about most of the combos to the second level? A LT can be helped out with a chip from a RB or a TE staying in to help.Why is a LT so crucial....b/c of speed rushers on the outside. Well if someone chips him inside....then it if fine.If a Center cannot deal with a DT...then the running game gets messed up b/c a guard has to stay on the block and the Mike will make the tackle or they won't be able to pick up a blitz without a sack b/c of this DT causing problems.At least 3 of the top 7 running teams in the NFL had a Pro Bowl Center. They all had great interior line play.

 

[Chasers Dawg]

1 - Oline - 3 yds and a cloud of dust to give D needed rests

2 - Dline - stop #1 from happening to us

3 - LB's - see #2

4 - RB - see #1

5 - WR - will take advantage of D trying to stop #1

OLD SCHOOL

 

[Phlash]

Left-tackle

Quarterback

Defensive Tackle

Defensive End

Center

Give me some lines!

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.Consider this post number seven and mention number three. I'd put center at #2 behind only quarterback.

whats terrible is that you put QB first. without a good OL, that QB does nobody any good on his rear end. its also nice to see that noone has mentioned RB yet.

Thats b/c an average RB Lendale White, Chris Brown, Chris Henry.....can be ranked 5th in rushing.....b/c of a great Center in Kevin Mawae.

 

[SSOG]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.

Teams can do fine with an average center.

Yup. Lots of ways to cover up for a bad center, often without significantly altering your gameplan. He's right in the middle of things, with two big enforcers behind his shoulders ready to help out if needed. Tackles are out on an island, unless you devote a TE to his side to help, and then you're forced to sacrifice an eligible receiver who could be out in a pass pattern.

 

[Assani Fisher]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.Consider this post number seven and mention number three. I'd put center at #2 behind only quarterback.

then how come centers don't go higher in the NFL draft?I'd say....1. QB2. LT(or RT for left handed QBs)3. DE4. DT5. RT6. CB

 

[Spartans Rule]

I put LT ahead of QB because without a good LT (or rest of the line for that matter, but especially the LT) you may as well not bother with investing in a QB.

I'd say the opposite is true. A great QB helps his LT more than vice-versa.Peyton Manning did just fine this year with a rookie LT in Tony Ugoh after Tarik Glenn retired. Try asking Jonathan Ogden how good he can make a mediocre QB look.

 

[Spartans Rule]

What's amazing to me is the disconnect in how people talk about the quarterback position in real football versus how they talk about it in these hypothetical building a team situations. QB Win-Loss records are actually brought up as a meaningful stat in discussions, yet it's not the most important position when building a team? WTF?

I believe there are two fundamental truths regarding the importance of the QB in football:

1. QB is the single most important position on the field BY FAR.

2. QB is not nearly important enough that QB Win-Loss records are very meaningful.

1 and 2 are not at all in conflict with each other. There's 22 positions on the field. When a team is very bad at most of the other 21 positions, a good QB can't win you many games. When a team is very good at most of the other 21 positions, a bad QB can win a ton of games. That doesn't mean the QB isn't the most important single player. If I've got a choice between my team having a good QB or a good defense, I'm taking the defense. If I have a choice between having a good QB or a good offensive line, I'm taking the offensive line. But I have a choice between a good QB or a good LT or a good DE or a good CB, I'm taking the QB and it isn't close.

Think about it this way: if the Colts trade Peyton Manning to the Ravens for Jonathan Ogden, which team wins that trade? What if they trade Manning to the Broncos for Champ Bailey? Or the Panthers for Julius Peppers?

IMO, in all three cases, the team getting Manning becomes a contender (despite all three being losing teams this year) while the Colts take a huge step back.

 

[Tommy Collins]

Building the lines is most important IMO. Going for it all in one draft is nonsense. Building a great line on both sides of the ball and getting playmakers later or in the next draft would make more sense to me. Without a great line, anybody can struggle. What do both Manning and Brady have in common? What about LT and AP?

 

[FUBAR]

Lets say there is 32 of us having a NFL Draft with every position available.

If we're drafting current players, QBs are on the top of my list. Give me Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I'll build around them in future years, or with lower picks. If we're starting from scratch with unproven players, I'm building my lines first, LT, DT, DE, C, RT, Gs. Get them strong and your average QBs can succeed. Simply put, while a great QB will help you immensely, if you don't have a good team around them, good QBs won't be good.

 

[Ack88]

1. Bulid a great defense 1st. Start with DL and move backward. If the other team doesn't score, you can't lose.

2. QB

3. OL

 

[Varmint]

1. OL

2. LB

3. DL

....the rest in any order

 

[Stillers Jr.]

LT, QB, DT

I concur...I may even go..LT, QB, RT, DT....

 

[DoubleG]

Lets say there is 32 of us having a NFL Draft with every position available.

If we're drafting current players, QBs are on the top of my list. Give me Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I'll build around them in future years, or with lower picks. If we're starting from scratch with unproven players, I'm building my lines first, LT, DT, DE, C, RT, Gs. Get them strong and your average QBs can succeed. Simply put, while a great QB will help you immensely, if you don't have a good team around them, good QBs won't be good.

One reason I don't take a QB first (if we're drafting from scratch - i.e. guys coming out of college) is because drafting a QB high is much more hit or miss than many other positions - and picking the wrong QB can set you back big time. Irnocially, I wouldn't try to be good right away. It's far better to build a round solid pieces then be average, as being average means you draft in the middle of the pack for eternity. To that end, I'd start with interior lineman on both sides of the ball - they usually have longer careers and don't need to be the glamor/skill/speed types that go to high in drafts. In year two I snag my franchise QB and some OT's to protect him. Year 3 I go for my stud RB and start drafting DBs & LBs. Year 4 I go for speed - WRs and DEs. By year 5-6 our QB should have matured nicely, our stud RB is still only in his 20's, our O-line is startng to gel and our defense is coming together. Year 5 & 6 I go for depth and look for a special teams guy or two.*CHAMPIONSHIP*

 

[pollardsvision]

1. QB

2. LT

3. DE (or OLB in a 3-4)

4. FS: in today's nfl, it seems like pretty much all successful teams have a smart, versatile FS that can cover WR3's and TE's as well as come up and be a run-stopper

5. middle or inside LB that has the speed to produce in coverage as well.

 

[pollardsvision]

but i agree, i certainly wouldn't take a QB in the top 10 if the foundation (interior) wasn't already in place (or close to being in place)

 

[Ghost Rider]

QB, DE, and OT are the first ones that came to mind.

 

[Rove!]

LT, RG, MLB, C, DE, RT, CB, LG, DT, QB, RB, FS, SS, K, P, KR, PR, OLB, WR, TE,

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I would go all offense first. It's not the right way to build a championship team, but it would put people in the stands, sell jerseys and create some excitement about the team while we were losing.

QB, his protection, receivers, then a running back. After a few years, when people were bored with a fun team that doesn't win, I'd focus on defense. If I started a football team, making it popular and financially successful would be more important than winning games in the beginning.

 

[WIFANBOY]

Lets say there is 32 of us having a NFL Draft with every position available.Which positions are most important to you?

Interesting question, but the answer kind of depends on where you pick and who has been picked. It is fine to say QB, LT, etc, but if you pick 28; I bet you do not take a QB or LT first.

 

[coachjim]

LT, QB, DT

An excellent post.

 

[Warpig]

If I were building a team, here are my most important positions:

1) LT (assuming my QB is right handed, RT if he's left handed)

2) DT (I'd want a plugger that can absorb atleast 2 O-linemen to let my LB's roam)

3) DE (a pass rusher to wreak havoc on the opposing QB)

4) CB (ofcourse a lock down corner to take away one side of the field)

5) QB (I don't need a super star, just someone that can make the throws required for our offense. I'd rather he be smart rather than a physical specimen with just enough elusiveness to keep the play alive...think Montana)

6) WR (I'd want a stud here. Someone that can spread the field and has pillow hands)

7) TE (I'd like to find a Tony Gonzalez clone here)

8) S ( I'd want my field general here to take away the deep pass and come up and stuff the run...Bob Sanders?)

9) Best available O-lineman

10) Best available LB

11) RB (you can find stud RB's on the street!)

 

[Colin Dowling]

LT

DT

CB

RDE/ROLB

RT

C

QB

LG

S

LB

TE

K

RB

P

 

[Phurfur]

A good blindside OT is more important than a good DT.I think a franchise QB would be next.Then I'm not sure. I could go DT or DE. So lets just say DL.

This is how I would start.

 

[FUBAR]

I would go all offense first. It's not the right way to build a championship team, but it would put people in the stands, sell jerseys and create some excitement about the team while we were losing.QB, his protection, receivers, then a running back. After a few years, when people were bored with a fun team that doesn't win, I'd focus on defense. If I started a football team, making it popular and financially successful would be more important than winning games in the beginning.

Congratulations Mr. Ford. Not only does your team suck, you can't make a decent automobile.Or is this Lamar Hunt and Carl Peterson?

 

[FUBAR]

Lets say there is 32 of us having a NFL Draft with every position available.

If we're drafting current players, QBs are on the top of my list. Give me Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I'll build around them in future years, or with lower picks. If we're starting from scratch with unproven players, I'm building my lines first, LT, DT, DE, C, RT, Gs. Get them strong and your average QBs can succeed.

Simply put, while a great QB will help you immensely, if you don't have a good team around them, good QBs won't be good.

One reason I don't take a QB first (if we're drafting from scratch - i.e. guys coming out of college) is because drafting a QB high is much more hit or miss than many other positions - and picking the wrong QB can set you back big time.

Irnocially, I wouldn't try to be good right away. It's far better to build a round solid pieces then be average, as being average means you draft in the middle of the pack for eternity.

To that end, I'd start with interior lineman on both sides of the ball - they usually have longer careers and don't need to be the glamor/skill/speed types that go to high in drafts. In year two I snag my franchise QB and some OT's to protect him. Year 3 I go for my stud RB and start drafting DBs & LBs. Year 4 I go for speed - WRs and DEs. By year 5-6 our QB should have matured nicely, our stud RB is still only in his 20's, our O-line is startng to gel and our defense is coming together. Year 5 & 6 I go for depth and look for a special teams guy or two.

*CHAMPIONSHIP*

Your plan is solid, but if fails in one aspect. You'd be better off taking WRs in year 3 and RB in year 4. WRs can use the extra year, whereas RBs can perform practically immediately.

 

[Southside Stosh]

1. O-Line

2. RB

4. Kicker/Punter

3. D-Line

4. LB

5. Receiver

6. DB/S

7. QB

8. Special Teams

 

[yellowdog]

A look at NFL draft history would go a long way in showing how GMs feel about this. QBs, Tackles, D-line are always represented at the top of the draft.

 

[switz]

Actually,

I would rank OL above every other position.

 

[Doug Drinen]

A look at NFL draft history would go a long way in showing how GMs feel about this. QBs, Tackles, D-line are always represented at the top of the draft.

This shows how teams have allocated their "draft value points" (as determined by the traditional draft value chart) since 1978:
qb 7.4rb 12.5wr 11.7te 3.9ol 15.5dl 19.3lb 13.2db 15.8pk 0.5pn 0.3Those are percentages. In other words, 7.4% of all the draft value points since 1978 have been spent on quarterbacks, 12.5% on running backs (including fullbacks), and so on.And here it is since 1998:

qb   10.0rb	9.4wr   13.3te	4.0ol   14.0dl   19.5lb   11.1db   18.1pk	0.4pn	0.1

Team-by-team breakdowns can be found here.

 

[Spartans Rule]

If I were building a team, here are my most important positions:

1) LT (assuming my QB is right handed, RT if he's left handed)

2) DT (I'd want a plugger that can absorb atleast 2 O-linemen to let my LB's roam)

3) DE (a pass rusher to wreak havoc on the opposing QB)

4) CB (ofcourse a lock down corner to take away one side of the field)

5) QB (I don't need a super star, just someone that can make the throws required for our offense. I'd rather he be smart rather than a physical specimen with just enough elusiveness to keep the play alive...think Montana)

6) WR (I'd want a stud here. Someone that can spread the field and has pillow hands)

7) TE (I'd like to find a Tony Gonzalez clone here)

8) S ( I'd want my field general here to take away the deep pass and come up and stuff the run...Bob Sanders?)

9) Best available O-lineman

10) Best available LB

11) RB (you can find stud RB's on the street!)

If that's where you're prioritizing those positions, you're not going to get players anywhere even close to that caliber.

 

[Warpig]

If I were building a team, here are my most important positions:

1) LT (assuming my QB is right handed, RT if he's left handed)

2) DT (I'd want a plugger that can absorb atleast 2 O-linemen to let my LB's roam)

3) DE (a pass rusher to wreak havoc on the opposing QB)

4) CB (ofcourse a lock down corner to take away one side of the field)

5) QB (I don't need a super star, just someone that can make the throws required for our offense. I'd rather he be smart rather than a physical specimen with just enough elusiveness to keep the play alive...think Montana)

6) WR (I'd want a stud here. Someone that can spread the field and has pillow hands)

7) TE (I'd like to find a Tony Gonzalez clone here)

8) S ( I'd want my field general here to take away the deep pass and come up and stuff the run...Bob Sanders?)

9) Best available O-lineman

10) Best available LB

11) RB (you can find stud RB's on the street!)

If that's where you're prioritizing those positions, you're not going to get players anywhere even close to that caliber.

You are correct. Not in one draft. You don't build a dynasty in one draft.

 

[Nugget]

LT, DE, QB, CB, C, DT, OL, ...

 

[FUBAR]

A look at NFL draft history would go a long way in showing how GMs feel about this. QBs, Tackles, D-line are always represented at the top of the draft.

This shows how teams have allocated their "draft value points" (as determined by the traditional draft value chart) since 1978:
qb 7.4 rb 12.5 wr 11.7 te 3.9 ol 15.5 dl 19.3 lb 13.2 db 15.8 pk 0.5 pn 0.3Those are percentages. In other words, 7.4% of all the draft value points since 1978 have been spent on quarterbacks, 12.5% on running backs (including fullbacks), and so on.And here it is since 1998:

qb 10.0 rb 9.4 wr 13.3 te 4.0 ol 14.0 dl 19.5 lb 11.1 db 18.1 pk 0.4 pn 0.1Team-by-team breakdowns can be found here.

This is good stuff. Any chance you have this by slot?

I am completely guessing here, but it seems QBs more often go in the top 5 and top 10, whereas WR, RB and DBs go 11-32.

 

[SSOG]

Six posts and only two mentions of the center position. Terrible.Consider this post number seven and mention number three. I'd put center at #2 behind only quarterback.

then how come centers don't go higher in the NFL draft?

Or make more money in free agency?Follow the dollars. The most important positions will always be the highest paid positions. The reason they're highest-paid is because, duh, they're the most important.

 

[kremenull]

If I was a GM, I'd build a franchise from the inside out...........the trenches is where I'd definitely start

1) Strong O-Line.....Start with building up the strongside with studs (left or right depending upon QB throwing hand, blindside will be strongside)....normally a LT and LG would be the top priorites but all of the OL positions should be filled with quality players

2) Strong DL.....Penetrating DT and a pass-rushing DE would be top priorities, depth is also a must

3) QB.......A QB's development can be much smoother with a top-flight O-line in place, and a franchise-type QB would be sought, but until one is identified and available to obtain, a journeyman or young understudy can fill in and play at least pretty well (ala Garrard, D.Anderson, or Rosenfels proved this season)

4) CB.......In today's NFL, corners who can flat-out cover are always coveted and in demand, need at least 3

5) WR.....At least one game-breaking WR will be needed, one who demands attention from defenses and can open up the field for the rest of the offense

6) RB.......One of the easier positions to fill, but also a vital one...with a good o-line, all RBs can produce at a higher level than what they normally would....see C.Taylor and S.Alexander

7) S......Strength down the middle of the field is vital to protect against the deep ball and to be physical in the middle of the field vs. crossing routes and inside runs

8) LB....particularly a MLB who can play all 3 downs......most outside LBs can be found all throughout the draft every year.....3rd to 5th Rds can produce starters at the LB positions

9) TE......An athletic specimen, ala Gates, can sometimes be found later in the draft and taught how to play the TE position effectively.....no rush to fill this position

 

[css2373]

QB

LT

DE

CB

WR

RB

MLB

LG

WLB/SLB

RT

S

C

DT

TE

FB

 

[chris1969]

I'm gonna go with the Browns offensive and defensive game plans. So a 3-4 Defense and my offensive players need to be smart enough to handle multiple reads and shifts. I'm assuming since I'm building a dynasty that I'm listing players according to the younger guys that I'm investing in long term. I would still get all the BPA's available in FA and pay the older ones big money short term only, since they would be short term fixes.

1) BPA between NT and LT

2) the position I didn't fill at #1

3) best O-lineman available

4) best DE available

5) QB

6) LCB

7) WR

8) DE

9) O-line

10) TE

11) ILB

12) O-line

13) WR

14) RCB

15) SS

16) ILB

17) The 5th O-lineman

18) WR (this guy would hopefully be a kick returner too)

19) OLB

20) FS

21) RB

22) OLB

23) Back-up QB

24) K

25) FB

26) P

27) Back-up NT

28) Back-up LT

29) - 54) depth and special teams players