The danger of positional value

[Green Jets & Ham]

Let me start by saying I not only acknowledge that "positional value" is real and not imagined, I'm also a proponent of considering it in the draft.

That said, I've always said QB's are in a league of their own where it pertains to positional value.

On defense, it's edge rushers (3-4 OLB's or 4-3 DE's) and then there's everything else.

Most real Draftniks look at it this way and so does GM's and Scouts.

But there's a danger you have to guard against too, and you have to at least be aware of it.

The danger, if you're not careful, is you can pass on a GREAT PLAYER for a GOOD PLAYER if the latter has the positional value and also fills a need.

Blake Bortles, just to pick one, is an example of falling into that trap and by extension making a colossal mistake.

The Jaguars needed a QB so they talked themselves into believing Bortles was a potential FQB, and in the process they passed on:

03. Blake Bortles
04. Sammy Watkins
05. Kahlil Mack
06. Jake Matthews
07. Mike Evans
11. Taylor Lewan
12. Odell Beckham
13. Aaron Donald

Not to mention Kyle Fuller, Zack Martin, CJ Mosley and Dee Ford who all went in RD 1 following Aaron Donald.

Like I said, when it comes to positional value QB's are in a league of their own, but there's an example of positional value at the exclusion of all else.

That's the danger of positional value if you are not careful.

Doesn't mean positional value isn't a real thing to consider, IT IS, you just can't become obsessed with it at the exclusion of all else, otherwise things like THIS (see above) can happen to you, and what you are looking at (above) is an absolute train-wreck for the Jaguars.

 

[beresford]

I think there's currently an element of 'positional value' in O linemen, due to the shortage of NFL-caliber players in these positions, The problem is that in order to win you have to put out a complete team, and if you never address the holes in your line then all the 'great' defenders you drafted instead just waste their careers in successive losing seasons.

 

[jets82]

We as Jets fans may all disagree on what position is needed, and most and I understand will feel that an edge rusher is the most important draft position right now. I disagree with that and I believe our oline is the most important draft position to fill right now. Now I won’t be upset at all if we draft Allen but I will if we draft Q. I’ll be upset if we draft Bosa and stay in the 3-4 because he doesn’t appear to be the OLB type. My thinking is if we can get this offense going legitimately, then that will help our defense greatly anyway. The Jets don’t have a defense that’s as bad as the Chiefs from last year, so not drafting a top edge rusher shouldn’t hurt us that bad anyway, if we get the offense right this year!

This positional value thing is real, I believe it and many teams have gotten caught in it. I’m sure the Jets have a few times in past drafts but I can’t give an example right now. If you think about it, the positional value for us would be edge rusher and oline and the supposeded better players are edge rusher/OLB and dline men. So common sense would say that the Jets should go that way. Then again, if the Jets can trade down, get more then excellent trade value for the #3 spot and draft the best oline men available then have they gone wrong? Will they find themselves in a Jacksonville Bortles type situation by doing this? I don’t think so but they definitely will if they draft an oline men at #3, if either Allen, Bosa or Q is staring them right in the damn face.