Another Off-Topic: What if a team had the first 50-55 picks?

[Zurp]

Suppose a team traded all of its players away during the off-season, and got the first 50-55 draft picks.. What do you think about how competitive that team would be the next year? I'm guessing the answers may vary, depending on how "strong" the draft is. Could a team of all rookies, even if they're the "best" rookies, win some games in the NFL? And how many games, maybe?

[exhawg]

IMO talent-wise they would have enough firepower to play with any team in the league. I think this fictional team would have problems in the trenches. I would be a little afraid to start an OL made up of the top 5 in this draft. Even Gallary wasn't good enough to start at LT his rookie year. It takes linemen (the real skill players) longer to develop.

[MightbeaBuck]

Originally Posted by Zurp

Another Off-Topic...

huh?

I don't follow.

[UGABuck]

Originally Posted by exhawg

IMO talent-wise they would have enough firepower to play with any team in the league. I think this fictional team would have problems in the trenches. I would be a little afraid to start an OL made up of the top 5 in this draft. Even Gallary wasn't good enough to start at LT his rookie year. It takes linemen (the real skill players) longer to develop.

Agree.

Also, I think the amount of practice time before the season began would be important. The skilled position players (QB,RB,WR) would need the reps with each other and the aforementioned OL to adjust to the improved speed at all positions. Also, I think the DL and LB would need that time to adjust to the OL and FB they would be facing.

Bottom line. I think by the 4th game they would be very competive.

[AKAKBUCK]

Originally Posted by UGABuck

Agree.

Also, I think the amount of practice time before the season began would be important. The skilled position players (QB,RB,WR) would need the reps with each other and the aforementioned OL to adjust to the improved speed at all positions. Also, I think the DL and LB would need that time to adjust to the OL and FB they would be facing.

Bottom line. I think by the 4th game they would be very competive.

The question is as big a crap shoot as the draft... let's take 1999 for example... I'm assuming you'd take 3 QB's with your 55 picks... you'd then have to figure out which one is the best, while the O-Line is getting their asses kicked... so You'd have to get through Couch, Akili and McNabb... anyway... the big problem is you've got no veteran leadership on the team-- no one to say, here's how you paly in the NFL... it helps coming from the coaches... but it also helps if you've got a guy who's done it for 5 or 7 years next to you telling you you're "doing it right"-- this is no small factor.

Also, most rookies I see... other than the Roethlisberger types who are good AND land on very good teams ... blossom in their second or third year when they have a couple of off seasons to learn how to prepare, learn how to practice, and learn how to evaluate themselves...

Hell-- they wouldn't even have a chance to grow up together like on a college team.... training Camp isn't that long.

I think they go 2-14.