Rugby Saint II

Each year NFL teams address filling team needs differently. Some teams build through the draft each year while others are big players in free agency. Some teams draft BPA while other teams draft targeted players that they covet. Some teams are heavy players in the first wave of free agency, while other teams wait for the second tier players to spend their money. Some teams draft players with a role in mind and develop players into starters. Other teams only draft players they think are immediate starters.

Some teams move up to address their needs with players they covet. Others move back and take BPA to fill out their roster with additional picks. Some teams try to pick 22 starters. Some teams fill their roster with role players who can excel in their system. The Saints numerous offensive and defensive packages are evidence of this. Incidentally, when I started playing rugby in '78 there was only one sub allowed during the 80 minute non stop match. Now we allow eight subs. Back then odds favored the team that was toughest and most durable.

This year the Saints were big players early in free agency for a change rather than waiting for the second wave of less expensive affordable free agents. Under Sean Payton the Saints have filled out their roster with mid tier free agents allowing them to draft BPA. The Saints have then used a mixture of moving up for players they covet and BPA to fill out the team with the draft.

Every team has a model that they follow but the Saints have blended several models together and each year they seem to stay within their model. This year was no exception. Even though it was a slightly different offseason approach than when Sean Payton was here. Should we move up or stand pat for BPA? Who would you move up for in each round and who is the BPA in each round?