Draft Philosophy: "Best Player Available"

[DB2012]

I honestly believe the Bengals are finally in a position to draft by this simple, yet elusive, concept. Throughout the 90's and other times in Bengals history, they have scrambled "desperately" to "fill holes."

With all of these "Mock Drafts" floating around, it infers that teams are drafting by something predictable, including NEED. The Bengals have solid, young depth, and need to stick with picking the best available, even if it makes them "too stacked" at a position.

The obvious questions come, like "what if the first 2 rounds the best pick is a RB?", or "What if the best player available is a QB"? I'd still draft them. If we have 2 young stud RBs paired with BJGE, so now this team would have a totally new "dominant phase" of the game. If its a QB, I'd let him develop from Dalton the first year, and showcase him (Preseason, Blowouts, Injury to Dalton), and be ready to "flip" him in trade. Chances are he steps in with a "complete team", and actually looks good, raising his "trade value." Sure, it's risky, but what isn't risky in the NFL? See how this works?

The Bengals need to simply take the best player in the 2013 draft, each round, regardless of position.

The Bengals are in an enviable position.

[Spor_tees]

This thread will soon be moved, by the Bengals do have 'need.' They only have 2-3 LBers signed to play next year. Benard Scott is a FA after this year. Safety has been a rotation of old players next to Nelson, or Mays/Crocker. Another CB is neeced to in order to provide depth and play Nickle corner. I'm still not sure Hall is all the way back, and may never regain his speed. The team also has to decide if Sanu is the answer at #2 WR, or draft another guy. So, yes, the Bengals have needs.

[ArmyBengal]

The thread isn't going anywhere. It's Bengals related draft philosophy.

That being said, I agree with the thought they have holes that indeed need to be filled through the draft.

What I will preface that with is "when" they take those positions could change things up.

LB, RB, Safety, DE, WR, CB, OT could all be addressed as early or late as the players available allow.

[kingwilly]

As for BPA, that is fine for teams that are not really on the cusp.

I think for 2013, they need to address CB, RB and LB. those are the biggest holes. In whatever order for those BPA first, then go back to overall BPA.

[TJJackson]

The Bengals are in an enviable position.

I agree

The Bengals need to simply take the best player in the 2013 draft, each round, regardless of position.

I disagree

They do have some very specific needs

They need a linebacker or two

They need three down bellcow running back

They need a safety

They need a center

They'll need to fill in for players who leave by way of free agency (The Flesh Zeppelin is one example of several likely to go)

etc etc

(I could go on, but thats good enough for the point to be made)

If the BPA at the time they pick does not play one of these positions, they have to consider other players nearly as good who will fill one of the needs

[Stripes]

I would never advocate making a draft pick solely for the plans of trading the player down the line. I can agree that the Bengals are in a position to draft the best player available (though I'd be less interested in a quarterback than I was a few weeks ago), but I think that is a position suffered by mediocre or bad teams -- not the best teams.

[princeton]

the only Paul Brown quote that sticks in my head:

"You draft for need and don't let anyone tell you different."

Bengals will draft for need, and will have needs.