NFL
By: Greg Rector
April 29th in Cleveland the 2021 NFL Draft will take place. While we all await the big event there really seems to be a running thread for “fans,” not just of the Dallas Cowboys, but every franchise that do not understand that you use FREE AGENCY to address team needs, while at the draft you address VALUE. Every NFL Draft we end up eventually with the dreaded 1st round draft choice that becomes known as a “Draft Bust,” while we also see later-round picks blossom. I get the wait between free agency and the draft can be interminable for many, but far too many folks end up clamoring for a player their team “NEEDS,” rather than looking at the value of a draft pick.
Building a winning football team is not an exercise in instant gratification. For those fans of perennial non-playoff teams, you all know too well that becoming a contender can be an arduous task. Being a Super Bowl-caliber team requires so many things to fall into place. Remaining a contender can be just as difficult especially in the salary-cap era. Whether you have a top ten or bottom ten pick the work that goes into a draft selection is months and even years in the making. Scouts not only do a ton of work for those draft-eligible players, their also stockpiling information on players who won’t get drafted for another year or two. It’s not just a matter of going to see a player on Saturday play a game. Scouts will also talk with everyone and I mean everyone they can around a player to find out if they are leaders, do they practice as hard as they play? Does a player really use film study to learn, are they coachable? Can they take being criticized constructively? You want to know every possible red flag regarding a prospect.
A prime example of a player this year with “RED FLAGS?” Kelvin Joseph, the cornerback from Kentucky. Originally attended LSU however opted to transfer from there and end up at Kentucky. He shows very good athletic ability on film, however when you look deeper, why weren’t the LSU coaches all that upset that he left? It got worse at LSU with Joseph. He violated team rules and was suspended from playing in the Fiesta Bowl in 2018. Because of this he chose to transfer and had to sit out in 2019. Along comes 2020 and while still showing his ability on the field, Joseph decided to opt-out prior to the Wildcats last game. Here’s the “Red Flag,” Kentucky’s coaches didn’t mind at all, with several reports saying they weren’t unhappy. So twice in three years, Joseph had issues that weren’t about his play, rather his character. Those issues can rear their ugly heads at the next level. Tell me you want to deal with a guy who may very well cause issues. I know I don’t. You can have an awesome RAS (Relative Athletic Score) and good game film, however you must also be seen as someone who will be professional.
Let’s look at someone on the opposite end of the spectrum. Ohio State edge Jonathan Cooper. Cooper doesn’t scream out as a can’t miss prospect. However, his circumstances are very different from Joseph. Cooper was over-shadowed somewhat by other big-name players on the Buckeyes defense, y’all have heard of Chase Young right? All Cooper does as a player though is work hard, from practice through the games, he does all those things you love to see players do. Remember I mentioned leadership earlier? Well, Cooper was voted defensive captain for the Buckeyes, leadership check. Speak to those around the Buckeyes and they love him. Now he also is looked at as a player with growth potential. He can contribute on special teams (Yes there’s that oft-forgotten contribution to winning teams) Sounds like a player you might want to give a chance in the later rounds? Played at a perennial powerhouse school, is coachable, does the things that required to be a professional football player.
Every team has those glue guys that do things that might not be seen on stat sheets, but they help teams accomplish their ultimate goal, making the playoffs and possibly contributing to a Super Bowl victory. The point is the bright shiny toy (Joseph) when looked at more carefully has question marks surrounding him, while a guy who may never be a Pro-Bowl caliber player could still have a positive impact. Go look at teams that are consistently in the playoffs, their rosters have Cooper’s and don’t have Joseph’s.
Getting back to VALUE over need at the draft. Here’s an example of doing the wrong thing. In 2017 the Cowboys just like this year had “Needs,” on the defense. Of course they needed a safety (They still haven’t valued the position) and also needed help at defensive end. They chose Taco Charlton because the need on the line was deemed more important than the safety position. To be honest, if you watched Michigan in 2017 you saw flashes of good play from Charlton. Now go look back at the scouting reports and you’ll see several scouting reports that had some legitimate questions regarding Charlton. The team thought otherwise, and we know how that turned out. Even more painful they could have drafted T.J. Watt instead…ugh Completely unspectacular play and Charlton is in Kansas City. Charlton was taken 28th overall so guess what? You got it he qualifies as a “DRAFT BUST.” Just 8 picks later the Arizona Cardinals drafted Budda Baker, you guessed it a free safety, the other position of need. Baker’s scouting report had few negatives, no red flags, and how has he turned out for the Cardinals? His lone negative? A lack of size. The lesson here is simple enough, there was more “Value,” to Baker than Charlton and their college career bore that out. However, a “Need” came before value and it was the wrong choice. Think the Cowboys would have been the 23rd ranked defense with Baker on the roster? I know it wouldn’t have been as Baker is very good against the run as well as in coverage.
Here’s my advice. Instead of simply going along with what you hear from the Daniel Jeremiah’s or Mel,Kipers, and other’s as to who your team should draft, take the time to do some scouting on your own. It’s not just about a pro-day or game film. Find those guys who bring more to the table. There’s a reason why the draft is seven rounds. While that late-round pick may never be a Pro Bowl player, there’s plenty of them that have something you and I don’t have, a Super Bowl ring or more. Here’s just one example. Adalius Thomas was a 6th round pick for the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. Shouldn’t have made the team right? Wrong. He went on to have a pretty decent career, including being a member of the Super Bowl XXXV champions. Does anyone remember Courtney Brown? Well, he was the first overall choice in 2000. Is known as one of the biggest “Draft Busts,” in history. Lesson is simple enough, the bright shiny toy may indeed be tarnished quickly at the NFL level, while an ugly duckling just might help your favorite team win the Super Bowl.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
