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Position importance 2013 vs now?

D HOS : 2/15/2021 2:17 pm
This article came up in one of my google searches. It is from 2013.

Would anyone disagree with this list for "Today's NFL" in 2021?

Basically he claims that importance of position is ranked like this:

QB, Edge pass rusher, Inside pass rusher, OT, Two-way safety, complete TE, CB, WR, run stuffing DT, C, RB, ILB, OG, run stuffing DE, OLB.

(I guess LS, PK and punter come after OLB)

The idea of this ranking is to show where you could argue for overpaying, where you can go cheap if needed, basically where not to spend the big money.

Though we all recognize that every position is necessary and you have to be at least competent everywhere.


Some interesting comments on positions:

Edge: "They come in all shapes and sizes".

(When the giants do get their edge rusher, they need to use him correctly based on his size and specific skill set)

TE: "As premium height/weight/speed combinations for wide receivers are being devalued in favor of route-running and playmaking capabilities, tight ends are trending in the opposite direction—pay for a big, fast, freaky athlete and get him the ball."

(5 years later this is even more true, but the Unicorn[I miss that guy] is always the guy who can block well and is a good receiver)

CB: "When there are five targets on the field, though, there's no way one man can wipe out one side...it's better to have three good cornerbacks than one great cornerback."

(in other words, you can't keep lining up the scrub of the week as your 2nd even 3rd CB)

WR: "Football fans of a certain age remember lots of discussion and debate over whether various wideouts were "true No. 1 receivers." Having a tall, fast, powerful, athletic No. 1 who wins every jump ball and routinely takes quick slants to the house just isn't as important when your quarterback is picking apart defenses with five eligible receivers on every play."

(I think that WR described is important but I do also agree with the quantity of competence vs the singular dominating player argument)

G: "The difference between a mediocre guard and a very good guard can hardly be felt in any single game...This is beginning to change, though."

(This comment is very debate worthy esp. Zeitler)

OLB: "Except for the rare few who are gifted pass-rushers...4-3 outside linebackers rarely make a big impact in today's NFL."


So what say you? Was this list correct in 2013? Still correct today?
Power Ranking the Importance of Each Position in Today's NFL - ( New Window )
The concept he raised that sticks with me is...  
D HOS : 2/15/2021 2:21 pm : link
Quantity of competence over the singular dominating player. I think you can make that case for CB, WR, RB, OL. Maybe even LB unit.

So that raises another interesting debate, for what unit do you want that singular dominating player over having a solid unit but no superstar? I think DL is one, LB maybe another. That may be it...
Positional importance at top 10 of draft and NYG impact at 11  
Judge_and_Jury : 2/15/2021 2:22 pm : link

Position importance at top 10 of draft and NYG impact at 11

Offense:

QB: Absolutely overdrafted. Why? The QB is the general in this passing league and makes the entire team better. No other position is close in value. None. Up to 5 could be drafted in the top 10 with 4 very likely to go before our pick.

TE: Generally lower due to lesser impact vs. other positions . Exceptions are usually guys like Vernon Davis that are projected to be do it all freaks. When is the last time a smaller framed TE go top 10? Could a slightish frame for a TE like Pitts go in the top 10? Only if a team firmly believes they can line him up out wide frequently and still play like a WR1. He could be one of the few that buck this trend but he could easily also slide out of the top 10.

WR: Extremely volatile . There are exceptions but normally receivers drafted in the top 10 have a combination of elite traits and measurables. This is why Devonta is generally considered less of a prospect than J'marr. J'marr is taller and has a more NFL sturdy fame in addition to the historic numbers he put up as a sophomore.

OG: Generally lower due to lesser impact vs. other positions. Very few OGs go in the top 10. Even Scherff was drafted to play OT. Nelson was considered a generational talent. None are likely to go top 10 this year.

LT: Heavily drafted. This position is the one that is drafted very high. One of the more common along with QB and Elite Edge/DE. Blindside protection is still considered very important.

RT: Generally outside top 5-10. If a tackle is considered RT mainly (no or little potential for elite LT versatility) this position is usually drafted outside top 10. Wirfs, McGlinchy etc .

RB: Generally lower due to lesser impact vs. other positions . Since the league has shifted even moreso to a passing league and the short shelf lives of RBs due to the constant punishment due to heavy carries on a per game basis, this now is also rarely drafted top 10. The exceptions are the Homerun do it all backs who are a threat to take it to the house on every play.

Defense:

DL: Generally lower due to lesser impact vs. other positions . Im talking interior DL here and the exception of course is an interior DL who is projected to be one of those rare high level pass rushers. Leonard Williams as an example. Even Donald went outside top 10 due to lack of elite size/frame.

Edge/DE: Heavily drafted. Its about passing the football first on offense and defending the pass on defense. A great pass rusher greatly impacts this and can be a 1 man wrecking crew. While a corner can shut down one side of the field and that has great value good offenses can mitigate this a bit with more with scheme.

CB: Volatile but also can go pretty high. If the CB is considered a shutdown Corner that has great value. It is usually the freakish types that go in top 5-10. Jalen Ramsey as an example. Do Caleb or Surtain make the grade to go that high? Possible.

LB:Generally lower due to lesser impact vs. other positions . The exceptions are ones that affect the pass usually by elite blitzing potential. Many very good LBs were still drafted right outside the top 10. DEVIN Bush, The Carolina LB, Patrick Willis, etc.

S:Generally lower due to lesser impact vs. other positions . The exceptions are the do it all Safety that is scheme diverse and is just a freak who can cover, play run and blitz all at an elite level. Jamal Adams anyone?



How does this impact NYG?

Our highest need positions : WR, DE/Edge, CB, OL

WR: If we don't pluck a top WR in FA there is a pretty good chance with all the QBs that will go top 10 that one of the 4 top receiving options : Chase, Smith,Waddle, Pitts will be there at 11. With the exception of Chase who is borderline blue chip very rare talent. The others come with a wart or two despite elite production on the field. Smith lean frame, Waddle injury history and not elite size (though better than Smith), Pitts (smallish frame for a TE).

DE/Edge: No Chase Youngs in this draft but because the position is so critical one or 2 may get drafted high. Rosseau has the prototype measurables the Giants love and 15.5 sacks as a very raw freshman at a major program is an very underrated accomplishment. Phillips is excellent but has concussion issues.Kwity Paye is another size/speed freak but doesn't have the production to go with it.

CB: Kind of a wild card. No Jalen Ramsey , Champ Bailey, or Patrick Peterson but two pretty good ones in Farley and Surtain. I'd be amazed if BOTH go prior to our pick. They are both very good but each has warts. If Farley was more polished he'd be a lock for top 10. Surtain is a bit stiff as a larger CB and doesn't quite have the freakish attributes of a Jalen Ramsey.

OL Perhaps the darkhorse in this equation depending on how FA goes and our thoughts on guys like Matt Peart (3rd rd pick) and Lemieux. At pick 11 this is an area you could go for an RT or even a very high level OG. Lots of interesting names especially if the best of the bunch in Sewell (doubtful to drop as he is better than all 4 OTs last year) or Slater (though the Giants are very big on size/arm length where he comes up a bit short). Other names include: Vera Tucker, Darrisaw, Cosmi all guys who a team may have on the short list from picks 10-15.

"New Position"...IMPACT PLAYER...Draft Considerations  
Rafflee : 2/16/2021 7:45 am : link
No disagreement with anyone's list, in General..... but when you're drafting at 11 abd see an Impact Player at any position, you need to consider drafting that Player. Handle Positional Duplication later....if you think Micah Parsons is somewhere near Ray Lewis, you take hom at 11, because his talent may be bigger than the position or your need.

The Position of Need, Hierarchy of Positions would usually come into play in Free Agency, or choosing between equal talents....with an admission that it's an inherhently forced decision with the scarcity of QB's and the lack of success in projecting them. A QB at any place in the Draft is a forced disruption, almost AN TIME/ANY ROUND you think you see a Franchise QB...even if you think you have one, already



Block well, pass the ball, and stop the pass  
Jimmy Googs : 2/16/2021 8:14 am : link
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RE:  
Judge_and_Jury : 2/16/2021 8:17 am : link
In comment 15153937 Rafflee said:
Quote:
No disagreement with anyone's list, in General..... but when you're drafting at 11 abd see an Impact Player at any position, you need to consider drafting that Player. Handle Positional Duplication later....if you think Micah Parsons is somewhere near Ray Lewis, you take hom at 11, because his talent may be bigger than the position or your need.

The Position of Need, Hierarchy of Positions would usually come into play in Free Agency, or choosing between equal talents....with an admission that it's an inherhently forced decision with the scarcity of QB's and the lack of success in projecting them. A QB at any place in the Draft is a forced disruption, almost AN TIME/ANY ROUND you think you see a Franchise QB...even if you think you have one, already




There are the outliers which usually are the prototype multi impact athletes at those lower drafted positions: Barkley, Jamal Adams, Vernon Davis , Devin White etc.

Parsons may fall into that category depending on the character stuff.
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