Why Not Use 1st Rounder On WR Jack Bech

[jrry32]

In the end this is a dated thread, but the main point is that if a team is really sold on and want a player in the NFL draft, why not used a 1st rounder on him?

If the Rams at the time believed that Puka Nacua would turn out to be as good as he has and used a 1st rounder on him a couple years back would anyone be upset?

You can do that, if you think he might not make it to where you're picking next. I recall that we wanted Bobby Wagner, we gambled that we'd get him later, and then Seattle snagged him a few picks before us, leaving us with Isaiah Pead. But if you think he's likely to be on the board later and are willing to take the risk, why not trade down or grab a guy you also really like who likely won't fall to your next pick?

 

[Memphis Ram]

You can do that, if you think he might not make it to where you're picking next. I recall that we wanted Bobby Wagner, we gambled that we'd get him later, and then Seattle snagged him a few picks before us, leaving us with Isaiah Pead. But if you think he's likely to be on the board later and are willing to take the risk, why not trade down or grab a guy you also really like who likely won't fall to your next pick?

Sure. Risk assessment is key.

I notice that many often suggest trading up or down as if finding a trade partner is guaranteed though.

While something may appear likely there are surprises all the time since no one has access to the other 31 boards. I recall reading post draft "insider" notes where a team makes a pick that surprises the masses and later find out that another team was thinking along the same lines.

If my highly paid scouting department tells me that player A is clearly the BPA/great fit even if I deem it not to be a popular opinion outside the organization, I take him whether I really like someone else or not. That's how you wind up with Bobby Wagner, IMO.

In watching the draft videos it sounds like that how they ended up with Kobie Turner.

I say make sure you get your guy when you can.

 

[WestCoastRam]

In the end this is a dated thread, but the main point is that if a team is really sold on and want a player in the NFL draft, why not used a 1st rounder on him?

If the Rams at the time believed that Puka Nacua would turn out to be as good as he has and used a 1st rounder on him a couple years back would anyone be upset?

I said this elsewhere, but with a 1st round that only has like 5-10 guys with a 1st round grade on it, I suspect we'll see some surprise picks in the remainder of the 1st round. The talent behind them being so flat so that who you get at 15 really isn't different than 50.

Gonna be some teams that pick guys that everyone predicted would be in the 2nd round cause of fit and their own special love.

 

[fanotodd]

I always say anytime you can draft the best player at a position, you grab him, regardless of need or the round. How can that be a bad pick?
The two examples I use:
1) Travis Frederick (C). The cowboys were roasted for jumping the gun on him at the bottom of the 1rst round. They felt he would not be there when they picked again. He helped rebuild that OL and was having a stellar career when an illness cut it short.
2) Aaron Donald. The only above average unit the Rams had that year was their DL.

Now there’s a third:
3) Jarrod Verse. He absolutely was the best Edge rusher in the draft. Yes, he fit a position of need, but there were other options that did the same.
OT: the Rams needed (and still) needed one, but those who were drafted after #19 were not thought of as the “best”. Those guys had been drafted.
WR: there were some good WRs drafted after #19, but everyone knew the top WR was going to be either harrison or nabors.
CB: there were 3 outstanding CBs this season and IIRC, all three were available at #19. Lassiter (texans) and BOTH starting CBs on the eagles.

The Rams could have selected a number of players at #19 who would have helped this team, but would any of them impacted the team/season as much as Verse?

If Bech is the one WR the Rams feel is clearly better than any other WR in this draft and you can’t say that about any other player at another position at #26…you grab him.

Now, is that what we are saying about Bech?
If not, there might be other, better options like a TE or CB.