With The First Pick
Fansided

Reacting to ESPN’s NFL redraft: Why it’s ultimately flawed

By Timothy Rodriguez

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Positional value

There are four “premium” positions in the modern NFL. Quarterbacks, offensive tackles, cornerbacks and pass rushers are the positions that dominate the NFL, as well as the top ten of drafts. In this draft scenario, these are truly the only four positions that warrant first round selections.

Age and durability are two factors that have to be taken into account when selecting a non quarterback in the first round. To take a position player that high, you need to be able to guarantee at least three years of elite production. While tackles like Andrew Whitworth are great, there is no guarantee that he plays more than one season in this scenario.

For no reason should a team take a non-premium position in the first round. Wide receivers, running backs, off-ball linebackers, tight ends and interior defensive lineman who do not rush the passer should not be on any team’s board in round one. Exceptions can be made for teams picking in the last four or five picks who will pick again rather quickly in the snake draft format.

In the original ESPN version, six of these players were taken in the first round. The highest was Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey being taken by the Los Angeles Rams with the 20th overall pick. A running back in the first round? Blasphemous. The Rams haul ended up being Bobby Wagner, Jared Goff and Dante Fowler after the first round pick of McCaffrey. They ended up with two elite players at non-premium positions and their worst player drafted is their quarterback.

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