PhoenixEagles1
Well-Known Member
To me it doesn't really work exactly that way because there is too much affecting the draft order including of course need. Sure there is absolutely a strong correlation, but it's not quite so cut and dry. There is only one center needed per team but 2 OTs and usually a swing Tackle so the odds are much greater that many, many teams need an OT every draft. A lot of times a team has one center for 8 to 10 years and never worries about it. Plus, If you have 2 or 3 starting caliber centers in the free agency pool that probably is sufficient to fill all of the current needs for all teams for starting centers and no one is using a top 10 pick on a center to sit behind another center. If they do so with a LT they can always play him at RT or Swing Tackle, but at Center he just sits (he doesn't even get first team reps in practice) and most teams don't want that for a top 10 pick. They want instant impact.
Let's look at last year. Last draft RB went #2 overall. I don't think RB is the 2nd most important position, do you?
CB went #3 overall. CBs go early a lot and are universally considered important, but not in your list of 3 above so I mention it here. Guard went #6 overall. Non-pass rushing LB went 8 overall. Are those two positions more important than LT? No, but they were picked earlier. I think you get too hung up on absolutes.![]()
Good post. To address your last paragraph... just cause an elite RB goes 2 in a draft that doesn’t mean RB is 2nd most important position. For example a ton of DTs are going to go high and in the top 10 this year. Doesn’t mean DT is more important then QB. But 50 years, 500 picks in the top 10 and no Centers? There’s a reason for that.
I have CB 4th behind the big 3. If there’s a generational CB coming out next year he will go number 1 but that ONE draft isn’t saying CB is more important then QB. But 500 picks and zero Centers does mean something. Maybe not cut and dry like you said but for people to dismiss a 50 year trend is ridiculous.
Really good point on the depth part. For example 4 years ago the Eagles had a HOF LT and still took a Tackle at #4. Obviously you wouldn’t do that at Center cause you’re all ready set at that position