What to Consider when you Draft in Round 1

[csx]

Build from trenches out. Dont overthink it.

[BeenPounding]

14 hours ago, MHS831 said:

 

I was scrolling X (Twitter) and I came across this clip....If I shows up here I'd be shocked.  Anyway it was supposed to highlight the blocking ability of Antonio Williams.  All I noticed is how well Blake Miller moved on pulls and in space.  I'm thinking it should be Miller Time in Carolina. I think with half a season of coaching that either Miller or Iheanachor could end up at LT, specifically Iheanachor with his footwork and those super long arms.  He's raw, but that could be a good thing with those natural athletic gifts.

 

https://x.com/NFL_DF/status/2033992963659796861?s=20

[MHS831]

On 3/17/2026 at 3:39 AM, csx said:

Build from trenches out. Dont overthink it.

Good thought and I agree.  Nothing about this process compromises that premise. In fact, the process involves meeting more needs so you can do that. 

If I can get an Edge on a rookie contract when my biggest need is LB, then I have enough $$ saved on the overall cap to get an elite rookie edge in the draft and sign a veteran LB in free agency. If I draft the LB first, my biggest need, then my savings against the cap (when looking at the 53-man roster) is minimal.  I have not saved enough $$ to sign the edge in free agency, so I have to try to draft the edge later, getting a lesser player.  Even if you draft an edge and the roster is full of them, you have trade capital because a lot of teams need a good edge.  This lends credence to the BPA theory if it is aligned with positions that are expensive on second contracts.

In the cap era, you have to think it through-it is like a puzzle.   That is why I did not like it when Marty was drafting RBs (Willliams and Stewart) in the first round.  If you recall, that necessitated moving up for Otah, trading away next year's first rounder to do so.  That is the draft we really needed an edge, but since we did not have a first rounder, we took Everette Brown to fill that need.  Then it got worse.  We had 2 RBs on second contracts, Brown busted, that led to drafting Clausen, etc. 

If you can get 2 starters for the price of one, that is what I would call smart--not overthinking, if I understand you.  I do agree, but that does not mean draft your trench players first.   It could mean draft an edge and use the cap savings to sign a trench player.

[ECHornet]

I would attack it with a hybrid BPA approach. I’m sure most NFL organizations do. 
 

Create tiered lists of players. 
 

Generational/HOF potential

All Pro potential

Pro Bowl potential

Average starter potential

Borderline starter potential

Depth role player

 

If you have only one player in the highest tier available, select him as BPA. If you have multiple players to choose from in the highest tier remaining, factor in positional value and team needs.

[strato]

We might want to find someone to cover Sadiq when TB takes him.