The Bust-Proof Draft Strategy

Draft Strategies
Jun 03, 2024
Jun 03, 2024

Section 1: Understanding the Draft

In order to build a successful football team, it is crucial to have a solid draft strategy. The draft is the lifeblood of any NFL franchise, as it allows teams to add young, talented players to their roster at a relatively low cost. However, the draft can also be a trap for teams who are not properly prepared. Without a clear plan, teams can easily end up with a roster full of busts and underperformers. That's why it's essential to have a bust-proof draft strategy in place.

The first step in building a bust-proof draft strategy is to understand the draft itself. This means familiarizing yourself with the rules and procedures of the draft, as well as the prospects who will be available. It's also important to have a solid understanding of your own team's needs and weaknesses. This will allow you to identify the players who are the best fit for your team and avoid reaching for players who may not be as good of a fit.

Once you have a solid understanding of the draft and your team's needs, it's time to start scouting prospects. This involves watching film, reading scouting reports, and talking to coaches and other football experts. The more information you can gather on a prospect, the better equipped you will be to make an informed decision on draft day.

Section 2: Building a Big Board

One of the key elements of a bust-proof draft strategy is building a big board. A big board is a list of prospects, ranked in order of preference. This allows you to have a clear idea of which players you want to target in the draft, and in what order. Building a big board involves a lot of research and analysis, as you'll need to consider a variety of factors such as a player's physical tools, mental makeup, and fit with your team.

To build a big board, start by identifying the top prospects at each position. Then, rank those prospects based on their overall talent and potential. Consider factors such as a player's measurables (e.g. 40-yard dash time, vertical jump), their college production, and their intangibles (e.g. leadership, work ethic). It's also important to consider a player's medical history and character, as these can have a big impact on a player's ability to succeed in the NFL.

Once you have a list of prospects ranked in order of preference, it's time to start digging deeper. Watch film of the top prospects, read scouting reports, and talk to coaches and other football experts. This will help you to identify any red flags or concerns, and to further refine your rankings. The more information you can gather, the more accurate your big board will be.

Section 3: Trading and the Draft

Another important aspect of a bust-proof draft strategy is trading. Trading can be a powerful tool for teams looking to acquire additional picks or move up or down in the draft. However, it's important to approach trading cautiously, as it can also be a way to make a mistake. Before making a trade, it's important to have a clear understanding of the value of the picks and players involved.

To determine the value of a pick, you can use a draft value chart. A draft value chart assigns a point value to each pick based on its position in the draft. This allows you to compare the value of different picks and to determine if a trade is fair. It's also important to consider the long-term value of a pick. For example, a late-round pick in this year's draft may have more long-term value than an early-round pick in next year's draft, as the player selected with the late-round pick will be under team control for longer.

When considering a trade, it's also important to consider the needs and weaknesses of the other team. If you're looking to trade up, for example, it's important to identify a team that is willing to trade down and that has a surplus of picks. Conversely, if you're looking to trade down, it's important to identify a team that is looking to trade up and that is willing to overpay for the pick.

Section 4: Draft Day Strategy

Draft day can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it's important to stay calm and stick to your plan. This means following your big board and avoiding the temptation to reach for a player. It's also important to be prepared for the unexpected. Trades can happen quickly, and it's important to be ready to adjust your plan on the fly if necessary.

One strategy for staying calm and focused on draft day is to have a clear plan for each pick. This means knowing which players you want to target, and in what order. It's also important to have a fallback plan in case your top target is selected before your pick. This fallback plan should be based on your big board, and should involve players who are still good value at that point in the draft.

Another important aspect of draft day strategy is staying informed. This means keeping an eye on trades and other moves that could affect the draft. It's also important to stay in touch with other teams and to be aware of their needs and weaknesses. This will allow you to identify opportunities to make trades and to acquire players who are a good fit for your team.

Section 5: Post-Draft Evaluation

After the draft, it's important to take a step back and evaluate how things went. This means looking at the players you selected and assessing their fit with the team, as well as their potential to contribute. It's also important to evaluate the overall performance of the draft. Did you get good value for the picks you made? Did you address your team's needs?

Once you've evaluated the draft, it's time to start preparing for the upcoming season. This means working with the players you've added to the roster, as well as the players who were already there. It's also important to start thinking about next year's draft and to begin the process of building a big board for the next draft class.

The bust-proof draft strategy is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. It requires a commitment to ongoing research, analysis, and evaluation. By following this strategy, you can give your team the best chance to succeed and to build a winning football team.