~ Evaluating the Draft Class Talent ~
Here’s the exercise I go through each offseason…. for the record, I do use the Grading System League Pulse offers – but it’s typically an afterthought for me and used as a reference or tie breaker when I have two players at the same position I’m considering.
Initial Steps:
1. Copy, paste, edit, format, add filters and freeze the top row.
2. Review “All Encompassing” attributes that can be viewed and compared across all positions (Age/AWR/STA/KR).
3. For the “All Encompassing” attributes I color code favorable ratings in GREEN and concerning ratings in RED.
At this point, I save the file (sucks to go through this work and lose it because you failed to save it)… I then pause and evaluate the number of favorable and concerning rating overall and at each position.
Deeper Dive Steps:
1. I determine ideal “Thresholds” for each KEY attribute for EVERY position and color code those in GREEN. These thresholds are fairly consistent every draft class but can flex somewhat to capture the top tier ratings in each KEY attribute by position.
2. I determine the “Floor” for each KEY attribute for EVERY position and color code those in RED. These floor levels are fairly consistent every draft class but can flex somewhat to capture the concerning ratings in each KEY attribute by position.
At this point, I save the file (sucks to go through this work and lose it because you failed to save it)… I then pause and evaluate the number of favorable and concerning rating overall and at each position.
Below you’ll find Key Attributes for each position along with Threshold and floor ratings when I evaluate the talent in the draft class (the Threshold and floors shared are not set in stone – I massage them based on the class and they could be slightly higher or lower on any given year).
QB: For me, the three [3] attributes that mean something to me are (and in the order of importance)… 1. AWR, 2. THA and 3. THP. I like taller QB’s and avoid scramblers… but if these 3 attributes have a player catching my attention I can live with a shorter guy and will pay to change a tendency if need be.
AWR = 60 and higher vs 54 and lower
THP = 95 and higher vs 89 and lower
THA = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
HB: I want a back that has it all (if at all possible)… but I ALWAYS look for a guy that has STR & BTK that’s READY to go (these are the most important attributes for me).
SPD = 90 and higher vs 85 and lower
STR = 70 and higher vs 65 and lower
AGI = 90 and higher vs 85 and lower
ACC = 90 and higher vs 85 and lower
BTK = 80 and higher vs 70 and lower
FB: There’s typically a handful of FBs each draft class… they are an afterthought for me! Since there are so few of them it’s pretty easy to determine which one is the best and target him – if he falls to the later rounds I might grab him if my team has a need.
SPD = TBD and higher vs TBD and lower
STR = TBD and higher vs TBD and lower
AGI = TBD and higher vs TBD and lower
ACC = TBD and higher vs TBD and lower
PBK = TBD and higher vs TBD and lower
RBK = TBD and higher vs TBD and lower
WR: I like these guys TALL and FAST… if the player is TALL has STUDLY SPD and ACC he can typically produce. When considering a WR early I’d always take into account the type of QB I have behind center… if it’s a VET who you select might not matter as much compared to if you have a young gun (I like my young QBs to have targets with high AWR and high CTH).
HTG = 6’3” and taller vs 5’10” and shorter
SPD = 94 and higher vs 88 and lower
AGI = 94 and higher vs 85 and lower
ACC = 94 and higher vs 88 and lower
CTH = 75 and higher vs 69 and lower
JMP = 94 and higher vs 79 and lower
TE: There’s different philosophies out there… for me, I’m all about a balanced attack. With that said, I prefer a TE that can be a mismatch for LB’s when he releases on pass plays… ideally, tall and fast!
HTG = 6’5” and taller vs 6’3” and shorter
WTG = 260 lbs and higher vs 250 lbs and lower
SPD = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
AGI = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
ACC = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
CTH = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
OL: Hate to say it… but I want linemen that can do it all and have attributes that would leave you no doubt they can! I believe in AGI and ACC (quick to the point of attack) over SPD and feel STR is important for all linemen, but guards should be stronger than tackles if at all possible (they’re facing the BIG boys in the middle). Finally… “SIZE MATTERS” (that’s what she said).
HTG = 6’5” and taller vs 6’2” and shorter
WTG = 320 lbs and higher vs 299 lbs and lower
SPD = 60 and higher vs 50 and lower
STR = 95 and higher vs 87 and lower
AGI = 65 and higher vs 55 and lower
ACC = 75 and higher vs 65 and lower
PBK = 85 and higher vs 75 and lower
RBK = 85 and higher vs 75 and lower
DE: This is the tale of TWO sides… left side and right side. Obviously, the left side is where the pressure is applied to the opposing QB and in most situations your LE will (should) lead the team in sacks. I want the player to have elite SPD, AGI and ACC… strength and size are nice but not as critical. I can’t articulate clearly when I made the shift in style for my RE, but I look for a player who has higher STR and size and will be somewhat more forgiving with the SPD, AGI and ACC.
HTG = 6’5” and taller vs 6’2” and shorter
WTG = 275 lbs and higher vs 250 lbs and lower
SPD = 80 and higher vs 70 and lower
STR = 75 and higher vs 70 and lower
AGI = 80 and higher vs 70 and lower
ACC = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
TAK = 65 and higher vs 60 and lower
DT: I’ve been running a balanced defense for a few seasons now (more 3-4 formations)… I simply prefer to have an extra LB on the field most plays (and pray the game selects a 4-3 formations when it matters most).Since only one (1) DT is on the field for most plays I want him to be good and be well balanced in all attributes.
HTG = 6’4” and taller vs 6’2” and shorter
WTG = 320 lbs and higher vs 300 lbs and lower
SPD = 65 and higher vs 60 and lower
STR = 95 and higher vs 90 and lower
AGI = 70 and higher vs 60 and lower
ACC = 75 and higher vs 70 and lower
TAK = 75 and higher vs 65 and lower
LB: Though it’s not a deal breaker, I like my LB’s to be tall (ideally 6’3” and taller)…and I think we can all agree that SPD, STR, AGI and ACC should all be above 80 (honestly, 85 is what I shoot for). I believe in exceptional AWR, CTH and JMP (especially at MLB)… I tend to think this lends to INT’s at the position.
HTG = 6’3” and taller vs 6’0” and shorter
WTG = 250 higher and taller vs 225 lbs and lower
SPD = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
STR = 75 and higher vs 70 and lower
AGI = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
ACC = 80 and higher vs 75 and lower
TAK = 80 and higher vs 70 and lower
CB: We all LOVE our DB’s tall… after that, it’s SPD and ACC (in that order). The attribute that trumps all of those measurable is AWR – I won’t draft a guy in the Top 10 if his AWR is lower than 60.
HTG = 6’2” and taller vs 5’10” and shorter
SPD = 93 and higher vs 88 and lower
AGI = 90 and higher vs 85 and lower
ACC = 93 and higher vs 88 and lower
S: We all LOVE our DB’s tall… after that, it’s SPD and ACC (in that order). The attribute that trumps all of those measurable is AWR – I won’t draft a guy in the Top 10 if his AWR is lower than 60.
HTG = 6’2” and taller vs 5’10” and shorter
SPD = 88 and higher vs 85 and lower
AGI = 90 and higher vs 85 and lower
ACC = 88 and higher vs 85 and lower
K/P: Gotta be desperate to draft a K or P in the top 3 rounds… I’m a FULL believer in rostering a VET kicker but would take a shot at a punter if he was STUDLY and till there in the 7th round.
AWR = 60 and higher vs 55 and lower
KPW = 95 and higher vs 90 and lower
KAC = 95 and higher vs 85 and lower
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