I think if there is a change in draft strategy, it will be because they just want to try something new. I don't think the current circumstances should change anything.

Every team is going to be equally behind, and you still have to be looking at setting up your future, as you draft. So I don't know why this would force a team to do anything other than draft according to the best players available on their board.

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?

I anticipate fewer trades than usual from Payton this year. It's a new system for drafting and we won't have the whole team together to make things happen on short notice. Trades may take too much time unless both teams discussed it before the draft.

According to Pat Kirwan virtually all trade scenarios have already been discussed between GM's prior to the draft. Especially those in the earlier rounds. These trades are rarely done "on the fly". Usually it's a quick call to say, "Still up for what we discussed?"

But....but....that's not how Kevin Costner did trades on the movie Draft Day! Are you sure about that Guido??? You may want to check your sauces.