Draft to build one side of the ball/free agents to build the other

[SJDK]

I was listening to the NFL Network the other day and they mentioned this as a philosophy. What does everyone think about this? Personally, I’d say use free agents on offense because we have a young QB and draft for defense. What do you think and why?

[Not at the table Karlos]

I would say sign a vet for 1-2 years, draft that position as well and develop your own players on both sides of the ball.

[Paulus]

[Augie]

BPA. You need a blend of vets and youth, but EVERY situation is unique. Know that and act wisely. That goes for both sides of the ball, it’s a blend. The best blend you can create. 

[Rocket94]

7 minutes ago, Augie said:

BPA. You need a blend of vets and youth, but EVERY situation is unique. Know that and act wisely. That goes for both sides of the ball, it’s a blend. The best blend you can create. 

Right on. Use those draft picks for both sides of the  ball...though I would target two impact defensive players early in the draft. This is all contingent on who is available in FA. Also, with the current trend of so called untouchable players being traded...who knows.

Edited November 2, 2019 by Rocket94

[Aussie Joe]

Try to get a WR and DE in free agency this offseason..

 

 

 

[Augie]

1 minute ago, Rocket94 said:

Right on. Use those draft picks for both sides of the  ball...though I would target two impact defensive players early in the draft. This is all contingent on what is available in FA. 

 

Yep, FA comes first. You might have thought we’d draft more than one OL last year, BUT....who knew we’d grab a half dozen in FA? Now, do we still need to upgrade? Of course, and always. 

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

Yep, FA comes first. You might have thought we’d draft more than one OL last year, BUT....who knew we’d grab a half dozen in FA? Now, do we still need to upgrade? Of course, and always. 

Yes. This team still needs a few waves of fresh talent to move foreward. Hopefully Beane signs the core players, drafts well and secures a few fa's who could be big fish.

[Augie]

18 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Try to get a WR and DE in free agency this offseason..

 

 

 

 

I certainly agree with the positions of need, but they are among the most expensive in FA. (I know, we have money - for now.)  I might lean more towards drafting there and FA looking at OL, LB and DL.  But I don’t pretend to know what’s best, so whatever they do.....I’ll cross my fingers! 

 

 

.

Edited November 2, 2019 by Augie

[Rocket94]

6 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I certainly agree with the positions of need, but they are among the most expensive in FA. (I know, we have money - for now.)  I might lean more towards drafting there and FA looking at OL, LB and DT.  But I don’t pretend to know what’s best, so whatever they do.....I’ll cross my fingers! 

I don't pretend to be an expert either but I see Lb, Dt, and De as primary needs. Yes, a wr as well, but sometimes they take longer to develop. Ha! we know this stuff already!

Edited November 2, 2019 by Rocket94

[atlbillsfan1975]

It will be interesting to see if Beane views the WR position as something better addressed in FA again this year. Supposedly the draft has good WR depth. The Bills need at WR is a true number one. I don’t think you can get that late in the first round. 

Personally you look at the position of need and match it with the grade for the player. You do this for the first three rounds. After that solely BPA.

[Warcodered]

I'd say try to fill holes through FA and go with the strength of the draft while keeping need in mind.

[Aussie Joe]

9 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I certainly agree with the positions of need, but they are among the most expensive in FA. (I know, we have money - for now.)  I might lean more towards drafting there and FA looking at OL, LB and DT.  But I don’t pretend to know what’s best, so whatever they do.....I’ll cross my fingers! 

I agree it will be expensive but with JA in year 3 of rookie deal, 2020 is the time

I just think they need proven upgrades at both these positions and it’s not easy to find these in the draft...even better bring in options from both FA and draft.:

 

Edited November 2, 2019 by Aussie Joe

[Augie]

1 minute ago, Rocket94 said:

I don't pretend to be an expert either but I see Lb, Dt, and De as primary needs. Yes, a wr as well, but sometimes they take longer to develop.

 

I’ll trust them to do it right. They created the cap space so they are flexible. I love that! We certainly need to create more pressure. Zero doubt about that. If there is the “right guy” at WR, I’m all in! 

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

I’ll trust them to do it right. They created the cap space so they are flexible. I love that! We certainly need to create more pressure. Zero doubt about that. If there is the “right guy” at WR, I’m all in! 

Beane did play his hand with Antonio Brown...he was thinking big pre draft. We never know. I just want to see some big time disruptive defensive players added, and a wr.

[billsfan1959]

8 hours ago, SJDK said:

I was listening to the NFL Network the other day and they mentioned this as a philosophy. What does everyone think about this? Personally, I’d say use free agents on offense because we have a young QB and draft for defense. What do you think and why?

 

It certainly is a blend of both; however, I don't think you can plan, in advance, on utilizing the draft or free agency for one side of the ball or the other - or even by position. For each position of need, there are so many variables to consider: Who is available in FA; what is the cost; development time needed for rokies at some postions, or just the unknown of a rookie transitioning to the NFL vs a FA who has actually been successful in the league; etc..

 

Take WR for example. 2020 is supposed to be extremely deep in quality WRs. They will, no doubt, select one or two throughout the draft. However, what if an upper echelon receiver, who should have 2-3 more years of top production left, becomes available in FA? Should the Bills use a later 1st round pick (realistically somewhere around 20) to select a top WR who is an unknown, or spend the money on the FA to ensure they give Allen a sure thing?

 

Personally, I still believe you build a team primarily through the draft, and I am not a big fan of overpaying for FAs (which teams inevitably do). I don't mind one big signing in FA at a position of need (i.e, Morse last year) and then finding good, quality 2nd/3rd tier FAs (starters and depth) as we did along the offensive line last year - and building the core of your team through the draft.  I don't like spending all of the FA money on 2-3 high priced players that, more often than not, never come close to performing to the level of their contract.

 

So, my answer to your question is that both are necessary these days and it is a position by position analysis as to whether you use FA or the draft.

Edited November 2, 2019 by billsfan1959

[Chicken Boo]

8 hours ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

It will be interesting to see if Beane views the WR position as something better addressed in FA again this year. Supposedly the draft has good WR depth. The Bills need at WR is a true number one. I don’t think you can get that late in the first round. 

Personally you look at the position of need and match it with the grade for the player. You do this for the first three rounds. After that solely BPA.

 

I don't think you can draft a WR and expect them to be the immediate #1, but you can target a guy that you feel can develop into that.  Those guys can be had all over the draft, but I have little faith in Beane's judgment when it comes to wideouts.

[atlbillsfan1975]

6 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

 

I don't think you can draft a WR and expect them to be the immediate #1, but you can target a guy that you feel can develop into that.  Those guys can be had all over the draft, but I have little faith in Beane's judgment when it comes to wideouts.

Why? 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

This is a great topic for February

 

we wait all year for the season, and then when it gets here, want to talk about the offseason! 

[Chicken Boo]

13 minutes ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

Why? 

 

Kelvin Benjamin, for starters. They passed on D.K. in the draft and while I like Beasley and Brown, I feel that a rangy wideout suits Allen's style of play.  The Carolina connection.  They just don't value wideouts.

[mannc]

8 hours ago, SJDK said:

I was listening to the NFL Network the other day and they mentioned this as a philosophy. What does everyone think about this? Personally, I’d say use free agents on offense because we have a young QB and draft for defense. What do you think and why?

Isn’t that what we’re doing?  How do you think it’s working out?

[Buffalo Junction]

47 minutes ago, mannc said:

Isn’t that what we’re doing?  How do you think it’s working out?

I’m not sure. I think they were forced to sign so many FAs on offense because the talent on the roster was so inept it couldn’t be fixed any other way. Kudos to Beane for pulling an amazing patch job without blowing the cap. It certainly seems like this team is now positioned to be a lot more selective and go for a few top talents.

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

10 hours ago, Augie said:

BPA. You need a blend of vets and youth, but EVERY situation is unique. Know that and act wisely. That goes for both sides of the ball, it’s a blend. The best blend you can create. 

You are exactly correct.  You need to match the availability of free agents and prospects available to you in the draft with the needs of the team.  It is crazy to think that a GM would blindly follow some arbitrary strategy to fill out a roster.  Every time I read some "gem" like this from a sports writer, it just reinforces for me that the vast majority of these writers are just journalism majors that are really clueless about their subject.  Augie, your post also reinforces for me the fact that I receive more relevant and useful information from the posters on this forum than from any other source. Thanks

[Ethan in Cleveland]

 

Trade down. These guys don’t have a clue who will be a player, Milano, and who will not, Zay and dare I say Edmunds. Need cheap players on rookie deals to compete. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

...interesting but not sure how it can be that black and white depending on which side of the ball.......formidable O and D line talent annually in the draft.......understand the need for some experience to protect your QB though......like what Augie said about BPA for priority situation(s)......also not sure if McBeane would be willing to throw around crazy FA money for either side (calm down anti-Star crowd )....

[TPS]

Beane has said what his philosophy is, use FA to set up the draft (so you aren't reaching for need). 

 

My impression is he also weighs the strengths of the draft class; for example, the 2019 class was strong at DT, and he didn't do much there other than re-sign J.Phillips.  It's my understanding that the 2020 WR class will be good, so we'll see.

[mannc]

2 hours ago, Buffalo Junction said:

I’m not sure. I think they were forced to sign so many FAs on offense because the talent on the roster was so inept it couldn’t be fixed any other way. Kudos to Beane for pulling an amazing patch job without blowing the cap. It certainly seems like this team is now positioned to be a lot more selective and go for a few top talents.

I think you’re right.  The offense was in such bad shape last year that massive F/A signings was the only way to bring it up to middle of the road.  
 

I’m unhappy with the team’s history of ignoring offensive skill positions in the draft. In the past three years,  they’ve drafted one WR (ZayJones) and one RB before the sixth round.  In that same time, Pittsburgh, for example, with Antonio Brown already on the team, drafted three WRs:  Schuster (second), James Washington (third) and Deonte Jones (third).  

[ColoradoBills]

3 hours ago, TPS said:

Beane has said what his philosophy is, use FA to set up the draft (so you aren't reaching for need). 

 

My impression is he also weighs the strengths of the draft class; for example, the 2019 class was strong at DT, and he didn't do much there other than re-sign J.Phillips.  It's my understanding that the 2020 WR class will be good, so we'll see.

 

That's pretty much the way it is.  Of course you can't always be sure what is available in FA.

The last chance to fill a need is a trade.

[John from Riverside]

I think this is dangerous and should strictly go by bpa

 

best player available on both sides

 

also when you have a Beane that drafts as well as he does you really have to take that into consideration

[Buffalo Barbarian]

16 hours ago, SJDK said:

I was listening to the NFL Network the other day and they mentioned this as a philosophy. What does everyone think about this? Personally, I’d say use free agents on offense because we have a young QB and draft for defense. What do you think and why?

 

Thats how i would do it and kinda how we did it. Could go for a stud RT though that spot has been a weakness forever. Nsekhe  has been ok and Ford has struggled.

 

 

[SJDK]

5 hours ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

You are exactly correct.  You need to match the availability of free agents and prospects available to you in the draft with the needs of the team.  It is crazy to think that a GM would blindly follow some arbitrary strategy to fill out a roster.  Every time I read some "gem" like this from a sports writer, it just reinforces for me that the vast majority of these writers are just journalism majors that are really clueless about their subject.  Augie, your post also reinforces for me the fact that I receive more relevant and useful information from the posters on this forum than from any other source. Thanks

I agree as well, I was shocked to hear anyone on NFL Network even say it. No way do I think it should be addressed as anything but situational.

[Buffalo Junction]

9 hours ago, mannc said:

I think you’re right.  The offense was in such bad shape last year that massive F/A signings was the only way to bring it up to middle of the road.  
 

I’m unhappy with the team’s history of ignoring offensive skill positions in the draft. In the past three years,  they’ve drafted one WR (ZayJones) and one RB before the sixth round.  In that same time, Pittsburgh, for example, with Antonio Brown already on the team, drafted three WRs:  Schuster (second), James Washington (third) and Deonte Jones (third).  

I’m not upset by it. They decided to go D first and it payed off. I’ll also never rag on Line picks in the top three rounds. I’d rather have incompletions than an injured QB. That said, I think they’re going to start filling out the offense unless someone falls into their lap. Keep in mind that Pit has basically kept the same Oline together for years. They’ll have to restart the cycle soon just like GB has done. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Beane is so full of it with not using the draft for needs. That's all he does is draft for need and waste picks moving up for guys.

Let me be clear again, I have no problem drafting for need. I think it's mostly insane not to unless a guy falls into your lap. Just trade down at least once to get an additional pick in the first 100.  Now every situation has a counter argument.  I would not have traded up for Hockenson but when Josh Allen, OLB made it past 3 I would have moved up for him. And he has not disappointed. Edge players can contribute immediately.  DTs take time.