DRAFTING STRATEGY: PREMIUM POSITIONS V. SKILL POSITIONS
By Danny Zyskind for Football Reporters Online

In recent drafts some teams don’t focus as much on the premium positions (QB, DL, including pass rushing linebackers & OL) but rather look for skill players with great athletic ability or for hybrid type players who can create mismatches. Additionally many teams seem to be drafting more need based than value based. There are more than a couple of ways to win in the NFL but the greatest chance for success comes from focusing your resources on the premium positions. A team cannot have an 8-10 year run of high level football, like the Colts, Eagles or Pats, without a great quarterback, the ability to protect that quarterback and disrupting the other team’s quarterback. You can have a couple of good years and even win a super bowl but you have no chance at a dynasty. Aside from giving you the best chance to win those positions are premium in that they have longer shelf lives than the skill positions.

There is no prevailing wisdom on which positions are most likely to produce a bust in the NFL. Every position has produced top picks that have busted and late round picks that have become great. I used to hear that drafting a quarterback in the top five and having him bust will set the franchise back five years. I don’t buy it. Most of the teams in the league have learned to manage the cap well and can overcome a bad selection much quicker. The important thing is not to let a bad selection cloud your judgment during a later draft. The Bengals, with a history of ineptitude, didn’t allow the failure of Akili Smith to dissuade them from drafting Carson Palmer.

In a league littered with injuries, contract disputes and salary cap issues, I don’t agree with the idea of using a top draft pick on a lesser quality player because there’s a need at that position. You can never have enough depth in this league. Regarding quarterbacks, the reality is too many teams seem content to move forward with average or below average players at that position. Not having a dire need for a player at a specific position doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an attempt to improve it, particularly if it can be done at a premium position. Furthermore I am a believer that competition brings the best out of athletes. When you have a quality guy at a position and you use a high draft pick for a player at the same position chances are it will motivate the first player.

In this year’s draft the Raiders could have selected Darren McFadden or Glen Dorsey. If they weren’t concerned about Dorsey’s health they should have drafted him. Last year the much criticized Texans did the right thing by picking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush. The explosive skill players excite the fans but ultimately are less important when it comes to winning.