Interesting comment by Rick Mueller (1 Viewer)

[rikquik]

53 players are on a squad. Each player averages a 4 year career. Teams draft 1 player in each of 7 rounds each year. Hmmm. 28 draft picks for 53 positions? On average, that would mean each team has to find at least 6 UDFA's every year. You might get a couple of compensatory picks, but you still, on average, have to find some UDFA's to fill out the team.

Too many teams are lousy at this, and end up signing someone else's trash. That kills the cap, chances are the player is older and slower than he used to be, and more importantly, the player usually has very little upside. Teams that are consistent over the last few years, like the Colts, Pats, Cowboys (under Parcells), Steelers, are all getting contributions from UDFA's.

You build a consistent team through the draft, but you win championships by picking good players who don't get drafted.

 

[Webmeistro]

53 players are on a squad. Each player averages a 4 year career. Teams draft 1 player in each of 7 rounds each year. Hmmm. 28 draft picks for 53 positions? On average, that would mean each team has to find at least 6 UDFA's every year. You might get a couple of compensatory picks, but you still, on average, have to find some UDFA's to fill out the team.

Too many teams are lousy at this, and end up signing someone else's trash. That kills the cap, chances are the player is older and slower than he used to be, and more importantly, the player usually has very little upside. Teams that are consistent over the last few years, like the Colts, Pats, Cowboys (under Parcells), Steelers, are all getting contributions from UDFA's.

You build a consistent team through the draft, but you win championships by picking good players who don't get drafted.

The average length of career of an NFL player who ever gets an active roster spot is 4 years. Most drafted players have longer careers, and most successful teams are full of players that they drafted as opposed to a bunch of free agents. What I find interesting is that Mueller would be so willing to damn himself. Look at the defensive roster on this team and note how many of the players on the defensive side of the ball were not drafted by the Saints.

New England is another team that gets a lot of help from free agents, but the difference is that players generally WANT to play for New England. Nobody wants to come to New Orleans unless the money is exceptional, which is something the front office seems oblivious to. There has to be a reason, either in the recruiting of players or the player perception in the clubhouse why the better players simply don't want to even consider this team.

 

[St. PJ]

I agree with the original poster 100%. Very good points that really don't get discussed often.

 

[NCSaint]

Collecting draft choices is where we fall short I think. It seems some teams (the Patriots are the best at it) usually somehow end up with more picks than we do.

 

[BELOWSEALEVEL]

Building through the draft is the best way to build a team.

Pittsburgh Steelers.........5 super bowls