Grading the 2018 Saints draft class, three years in | USA Today/SaintsWire

SaintGnome · 03-03-2021, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by gosaints1

In rounds 1-5, the vast majority of draft choices make their team AND contribute on the field, at some point that year, if nothing more other than depth and giving a breather to the starting 11’s. That depth is critical!

“Average”, “Good”, “Great” and “Legendary” are subjective statements, and mean absolutely nothing to the fundamental statistics. And the fundamental statistics clearly indicate that drafted players make their rosters, and play during that year.

A good draft pick isn't just someone who get's signed by the team and plays in games for his drafting team. By that definition Danny Wuerfell was a good pick and that noodle arm was a complete waste. Good drafts mean the drafted player played well for us, made meaningful contributions. If you sign and start your entire draft, and it's a crappy team that's not a good draft.

gosaints1 · 03-03-2021, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by SaintGnome

A good draft pick isn't just someone who get's signed by the team and plays in games for his drafting team. By that definition Danny Wuerfell was a good pick and that noodle arm was a complete waste. Good drafts mean the drafted player played well for us, made meaningful contributions. If you sign and start your entire draft, and it's a crappy team that's not a good draft.

Good is subjective. QB’s should be the leader of the team, and most often also the locker room leader. So, I’ll agree to the fact that a “good” QB isn’t ideal. That being said, there are many other positions that aren’t as high profile as the QB who play and make an impact, without being the face of the organization.

You build your team through the draft, fill in the holes with free agency. One without the other is useless. Most drafted players play for their respective teams, and are developed by them. Few fail to make the team or fail to play.

The idea that the draft is a crapshoot, outside of hoping the first round QB you picked is going to make it, is nonsense. You can’t buy a locker-room.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...a-locker-room/

Free agency is critical, so is the draft. The salary cap hits you when you focus on free agent veteran acquisitions too heavily. And it’s painful getting out from under that weight.

SaintGnome · 03-03-2021, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by gosaints1

Good is subjective.

Is it, really? I'll give you there's a worthy debate on good vs great - Eli vs Payton as an example. Both had successes. Would you also say Ryan Leaf is also vs Peyton also subjective? I don't think so, but believe what you want.

gosaints1 · 03-03-2021, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by SaintGnome

Is it, really? I'll give you there's a worthy debate on good vs great - Eli vs Payton as an example. Both had successes. Would you also say Ryan Leaf is also vs Peyton also subjective? I don't think so, but believe what you want.

Comparing one individual player to another individual player on differing teams isn’t a discussion I was in. Different organizations, different personnel strategies, incoming/outgoing coaches, who they are replacing, injuries, sitting behind a starter forever, etc... WAY too many variables to make comparison’s. For example, let’s take Tom Brady. Had the Saints drafted him at 168, instead of him falling to 199, and us picking M Bulger, would Brady have been developed and as successful as he is today? It’s my belief the Saints would have wasted Brady, quite possibly ruining him forever.

I just believe you draft your team, then develop those players. Veteran free agents carry veteran cap hits on their contracts. If you choose to build a team via free agency because you feel they are a more guaranteed option, you’ll find yourself in cap hell quickly. And in all truthiness, being a veteran free agent is no guarantee either. Rookie contracts? Not so expensive. If you have unlimited monies, aka no salary cap, then by all means, build the entire team as if you’re playing Madden 2021. But, that’s not reality. And even if it were..., you can’t buy locker room synergy and chemistry.

View Poll Results: After three seasons, what grade do you give the Saints for the 2018 Draft Haul?
A	1	7.69%
B	3	23.08%
C	2	15.38%
D	5	38.46%
F	2	15.38%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

03-03-2021, 06:37 PM	#1
SaintGnome 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bradenton,FL Posts: 642	Re: Grading the 2018 Saints draft class, three years in \| USA Today/SaintsWire Originally Posted by gosaints1 In rounds 1-5, the vast majority of draft choices make their team AND contribute on the field, at some point that year, if nothing more other than depth and giving a breather to the starting 11’s. That depth is critical! “Average”, “Good”, “Great” and “Legendary” are subjective statements, and mean absolutely nothing to the fundamental statistics. And the fundamental statistics clearly indicate that drafted players make their rosters, and play during that year. A good draft pick isn't just someone who get's signed by the team and plays in games for his drafting team. By that definition Danny Wuerfell was a good pick and that noodle arm was a complete waste. Good drafts mean the drafted player played well for us, made meaningful contributions. If you sign and start your entire draft, and it's a crappy team that's not a good draft. AsylumGuido likes this.

03-03-2021, 07:38 PM	#2
gosaints1 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 576	Re: Grading the 2018 Saints draft class, three years in \| USA Today/SaintsWire Originally Posted by SaintGnome A good draft pick isn't just someone who get's signed by the team and plays in games for his drafting team. By that definition Danny Wuerfell was a good pick and that noodle arm was a complete waste. Good drafts mean the drafted player played well for us, made meaningful contributions. If you sign and start your entire draft, and it's a crappy team that's not a good draft. Good is subjective. QB’s should be the leader of the team, and most often also the locker room leader. So, I’ll agree to the fact that a “good” QB isn’t ideal. That being said, there are many other positions that aren’t as high profile as the QB who play and make an impact, without being the face of the organization. You build your team through the draft, fill in the holes with free agency. One without the other is useless. Most drafted players play for their respective teams, and are developed by them. Few fail to make the team or fail to play. The idea that the draft is a crapshoot, outside of hoping the first round QB you picked is going to make it, is nonsense. You can’t buy a locker-room. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...a-locker-room/ Free agency is critical, so is the draft. The salary cap hits you when you focus on free agent veteran acquisitions too heavily. And it’s painful getting out from under that weight.
gosaints1 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 576

03-03-2021, 07:59 PM	#3
SaintGnome 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bradenton,FL Posts: 642	Re: Grading the 2018 Saints draft class, three years in \| USA Today/SaintsWire Originally Posted by gosaints1 Good is subjective. Is it, really? I'll give you there's a worthy debate on good vs great - Eli vs Payton as an example. Both had successes. Would you also say Ryan Leaf is also vs Peyton also subjective? I don't think so, but believe what you want. AsylumGuido likes this.

03-03-2021, 08:45 PM	#4
gosaints1 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 576	Re: Grading the 2018 Saints draft class, three years in \| USA Today/SaintsWire Originally Posted by SaintGnome Is it, really? I'll give you there's a worthy debate on good vs great - Eli vs Payton as an example. Both had successes. Would you also say Ryan Leaf is also vs Peyton also subjective? I don't think so, but believe what you want. Comparing one individual player to another individual player on differing teams isn’t a discussion I was in. Different organizations, different personnel strategies, incoming/outgoing coaches, who they are replacing, injuries, sitting behind a starter forever, etc... WAY too many variables to make comparison’s. For example, let’s take Tom Brady. Had the Saints drafted him at 168, instead of him falling to 199, and us picking M Bulger, would Brady have been developed and as successful as he is today? It’s my belief the Saints would have wasted Brady, quite possibly ruining him forever. I just believe you draft your team, then develop those players. Veteran free agents carry veteran cap hits on their contracts. If you choose to build a team via free agency because you feel they are a more guaranteed option, you’ll find yourself in cap hell quickly. And in all truthiness, being a veteran free agent is no guarantee either. Rookie contracts? Not so expensive. If you have unlimited monies, aka no salary cap, then by all means, build the entire team as if you’re playing Madden 2021. But, that’s not reality. And even if it were..., you can’t buy locker room synergy and chemistry. K Major and Boston Saint like this.
gosaints1 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 576

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode