Disagree. This is an elite league. Just "trying something new" will get you fired.

Evaluating a player in person, under your controlled scenarios is essential. Especially regarding intangibles, injuries, IQ and compatibility.

Not having several opportunities to evaluate a player in person will absolutely change a team's draft philosophy.

It's been quoted coaches will pick safe. Most will. Maybe teams will take a chance but not on someone they're not already familiar with.

........?



You don't seem to have gotten my point, and I'm not sure I get yours. I didn't say that they SHOULD try something new, I'm responding to The Dude's question, and saying that IF they draft differently it won't be because of the covid circumstances, it will just be because they want to try something new. And by that, I'm not suggesting they'd just whimsically throw darts at the wall, or pin the donkey to make their picks, as you seem to be under the impression that I was saying.

I'm saying that if they do something along the lines of what The Dude was suggesting -making draft day trades for veteran players, as opposed to trading draft picks to move up- then it will be because they decided they wanted to go with more veterans (perhaps to expedite the improvement of the roster for one last run with Drew?) and not because of anything else.

I do NOT foresee them going that route. But regardless of how they draft, I see no reason why this situation would MAKE them draft "differently". What you are describing is how the evaluation process is different this time around. I never disputed that. I didn't even bring it up. My point is that, just because you weren't able to go through your normal evaluation process, doesn't mean your strategy in the draft changes. You have less hands on information than you otherwise would have, but whatever information you DO have, you will establish your prospect board on that, and draft accordingly.

Every team is in the same boat. But the draft is still going to be 7 rounds. So, what? Are teams just not going to draft players? Everyone can't trade all their picks. See what I'm saying? There's no difference in strategy. If you can make a trade for a veteran who makes sense in the makeup of your roster, you do it, just like you would any other year.

If they're trying something new, it's likely because of COVID circumstances.

Ever since Ireland came aboard, drafts seem to have improved. Why change your draft approach unless your evaluation process is hindered?

Dude, I'm not saying they will, or should, change their strategy. I'm pretty sure I made that point as clear as possible.

It was just a response to the question that was posed. And, in my opinion, IF there were a different strategy employed, there is no logical reason for covid to have anything to do with it. These guys have access to tons and tons of film. They can interview players over the phone. I don't see the inability to put eyes on players in person having so much of an impact that teams will be scared to draft players. I think they'll move forward with the same plan they've had the last few years, and if guys don't work out... That's nothing new. That's how the draft works.

So if they want to trade for veteran players, maybe it would just mean that they identified some players that they want, and trading draft picks is the way to acquire them. However, the Saints' draft capitol is kind of terrible. So, I don't know what they have to offer.

Dude, I'm not saying they will, or should, change their strategy. I'm pretty sure I made that point as clear as possible.

It was just a response to the question that was posed. And, in my opinion, IF there were a different strategy employed, there is no logical reason for covid to have anything to do with it. These guys have access to tons and tons of film. They can interview players over the phone. I don't see the inability to put eyes on players in person having so much of an impact that teams will be scared to draft players. I think they'll move forward with the same plan they've had the last few years, and if guys don't work out... That's nothing new. That's how the draft works.

So if they want to trade for veteran players, maybe it would just mean that they identified some players that they want, and trading draft picks is the way to acquire them. However, the Saints' draft capitol is kind of terrible. So, I don't know what they have to offer.

I didn't say you did either! I merely disagreed with the ideas. My opinion stands - if a draft strategy changes, it's likely due to not being able to assess a certain player the way they would in the past. The past being before COVID. They'll likely pass on a player they could have further vetted.

Well, I guess we all have our opinions. I'm just wondering why they would pass on a player who they have hours of tape on, simply because they didn't see him in person... Only to draft some other player who they have hours of tape on, but have never seen in person.

This goes back to the point I've been making all along. The Saints, right now, have a board with prospect rankings on it, based on whatever information they DO have. Granted, they might not have as much information as they'd like, or as they or used to getting, but they can do nothing about that. So, they'll go forward with their board and draft according to best player available, with perhaps some emphasis on certain needs, or perhaps not. Just as they always have.

To avoid one "risk" is to go with another "risk", in this situation. So what changes? That's all I'm saying.

I didn't suggest they'd pass on a player they already liked. In fact, I think they're more likely to go with players they have familiarity with this year in particular. The fact they can't meet with certain players to vet them more means those players are likely further down their board.