Alright, time for our last installment in the Draft 101 series. We have covered the Draft Basics and Order in Part I, Player Groupings and Evaluation in Part II, and now the other half of the puzzle is the Team side of things. We will break this section down into 2 parts – Team Needs and Draft Strategy.
Team Needs
So, like I wrote before, not all NFL teams are the same. Each team has a unique “scheme” that they employ to play this complicated game on both offense and defense. Beyond scheme, the coaching staff typically targets players based on a profile of traits that they like. Finally, with the massive amount of player movement via free agency, retirement and injury, NFL teams have to constantly rotate, strengthen and build their rosters. Let’s take each of these areas apart.
Scheme
Each team has a base philosophy or strategy that they employ to play the game. Of course, there will be a blend of philosophies to come up with a game plan week in and week out of the season. However, typically, teams employ one philosophy that the coaching staff is most comfortable and competent using.
Offensive Schemes – There are a variety of methods to score points. In the modern NFL, passing the football has become a majority of most offenses. However, there are different approaches NFL teams will use. Let’s go over some basics ones:
- West Coast Offense (WCO)– Born from the Bill Walsh school of thought, when he coached the San Francisco 49ers in the early to late 80s, the West Coast style of offense is very prevalent in the league now. The West Coast Offense originally was designed to counteract strong defensive pressure on the Quarterback by throwing quicker, more timing based throws. WCO QBs need to do a lot of pre-snap reading of the defenses to anticipate where they will throw the ball before even dropping back to throw. The WCO utilized the Running Back a lot out of the backfield for short throws and really was the catalyst to use the Tight End as more of a receiver than a blocker. WCO tendencies put a premium on accurate QBs who can get the ball out of their hands quickly. The Bill Walsh coaching “tree” has been fruitful in the modern NFL with coaches like Kansas City’s Andy Reid taking the tradition forward. Reid has several assistants who have gone on to either be Offensive Coordinators (OCs) or head coaches. Super Bowl winning coach, Doug Peterson is a Reid disciple, as is Matt Nagy, the Chicago Bears head coach. In addition to the premium on QBs to have specific traits, the rest of the offense also should fit in the WCO mold. WCOs need nimble offensive linemen who can pass protect for the QB and also run out of similar formations. WCOs offensive linemen typically need to be a bit quicker and able to pick up multiple blitzes since the offense will pass a lot. Finally, the WCOs RBs, WRs and TEs all need to be precise route runners with good hands. WCO schemes also value a receivers ability to get Yards After the Catch or YAC. So, quick and elusive WRs and RBs are very valued. So, the WCO scheme is fairly particular in looking for players that fit their scheme.
- Power Running (PR) – Another more classic scheme is the Power Running game scheme. Although the NFL has moved to more passing, there has been a resurgence in teams that attempt to control the game via running the ball more or “ground game.” The current example of this is the Dallas Cowboys who used the NFL Draft to collect a large and strong offensive line. After building the line, they drafted a RB in the Top 5 (Ezekiel Elliott) to run behind that group with great success. The benefit of a PR scheme is an offense can use the running game to control the clock and literally shorten the game by limiting the number of plays both teams will be able to execute. This scheme is helpful in what is called “Complementary Football,” which means the Offense is attempting to make the game easier for its Defense. In the Dallas example, since the Offense is on the field so much, the Defense is on less which leads to a fresher, more energetic group. That freshness can assist the Defense be more aggressive and not wear down in a given game. Also, if the PR offense can put points on the board, then the opposing offense will have less time to catch up in a game, making the plays more predictable for the PR defensive unit. PR schemes do pass the ball, of course. However, if operating at its most effective, PR offenses will use “play action” or run fakes to draw the opposing defense towards the line of scrimmage which opens up passing lanes down the field for big plays. PR schemes value very large and powerful offensive lineman who can push the defense around. Strong RBs who have good vision and patience are also valued. WRs and TEs are not only asked to catch the ball on normal passing plays and play action plays, but they are really needed to block more often than other schemes. So, PR offenses look for well rounded skilled players. Finally, QBs in the PR scheme need to be able to carry out good run fakes and audible at the line from runs to passes as the defenses adapt to the run heavy approach to keep the defenses off balanced. The PR scheme is less popular than the WCO, however when teams do it well, they have been very successful of late.
- Vertical Passing Game (VPG) – One last major scheme you will see in the NFL is a Vertical Passing Game approach. Like the name says, VPGs look to test the defense down the field more often than the other 2 schemes. Where the WCO often attacks a defense on its perimeter or horizontally across the field, the VPG looks to constantly challenge a defense deep or in the intermediate for bigger “chunks” of yardage at a time. VPG schemes will value QBs with strong arms that can accurately throw the ball beyond 15 yards and deep throw accuracy is essential. WRs need to be very fast to get beyond the secondary quickly, which is called “taking the top off” the defense. VPG schemes often value tall, fast WRs since often this scheme will throw the ball up for their WRs to win in a jump ball situation or to draw contact and get a Pass Interference penalty. On the offensive line, VPGs need very good and technical pass blockers. The classic Blind Side Left Tackle is critical for this scheme as well as interior lineman who can read blitzes and communicate with their teammates, as the length of time to hold off the defense is longer on vertical routes. Running Backs are asked to block a lot more often is passing situations for VPGs, and as such “pass pro” RBs are important. Finally, often VPGs have 2 types of TEs: one to help the offensive line block and the other to be an additional vertical threat down the field. In today’s game, the now Los Angeles Chargers are a VPG system. Philip Rivers throws that ball up deep to his WRs early and often, as they have now Hunter Henry at TE down the seam of the defense and several WRs who test the defense at all levels.
Now, in the modern NFL, most teams bring a hybrid approach to their offensive scheme amongst these three. There are also other strategies used on a more infrequent basis like running the option with their QB – the “read option” today, which is very common in both college and the NFL now. However, these are more a package of plays than a complete scheme at this time. The Run Pass Option or RPO may become a scheme in and of itself at some point, which essentially has the QB set up a formation to watch or read on player on a given play. If that player, like a Linebacker, after the snap comes up to stop the run, as the QB hands the ball to the RB, then the QB will pull the ball back out and throw behind the charging Linebacker for a completion. The Eagles won the Super Bowl using mostly this strategy, especially in their game against the Falcons in the Divisional round. Yet, on an entire offensive system, one of these 3 can account for the majority of NFL offenses.
Defensive Schemes – Defenses can be very complicated and even described as “exotic.” I’m going to breakdown defensive schemes into 2 different categories – Defensive Fronts and Cover Schemes.
- Defensive Fronts: The Defensive Front term means the number of defensive lineman and linebackers and how they align against the offense. NFL defenses are very complicated, and as such they use a base front which over time has indicated a given position within that front.
- 4-3 Front: A classic 4-3 means that the defense will have 4 “down” lineman – 2 Defensive Tackles and 2 Defensive Ends. In this front, the 4 linemen have both run and pass rush responsibility. As such, the 2 Defensive Tackles should be strong enough to stop the run, but quick enough to get pressure on the QB. The Defensive Ends work to keep the RB inside of them on the field or “setting the edge,” but they need to also put a lot of pressure on the QBs. JJ Watt is probably the best known 4-3 DE in the game at this time. All players on the 4-3 front should be good sized players with the inside tackles being a bit bigger than the ends. The 3 Linebackers behind the line in this front are typically what you would call “Flow” players which means they will read the offense and flow their movement to the ball. The center Linebacker or Middle Linebacker is often the QB of the defense calling out the defensive play calls, recognizing formations and the literal heart of the defense, think Dick Butkus or Brian Urlacher. Linebackers in this scheme need to be versatile – stop the run, cover zones and man to man, and often are asked to blitz the QB to bring extra pressure. The 4-3 is a very classic front seen in the early days of the sport and still very dominant in the game. Teams that use this front are Carolina, Minnesota and San Diego.
- 3-4 Front: The 3-4 Front is the opposite alignment with only 3 down linemen and 4 stand up Linebackers. In the 3-4, the 3 lineman have a “Nose” Tackle occupying the Center and sometimes Center and Guard at once. The Nose Tackle traditionally is a giant man who can stock the run very effectively. The best in recent memory is Haloti Gnata, now with the Lions and formerly with the Baltimore Ravens. Gnata is a huge man who is quick enough to get to the QB, but more importantly can stop any interior running game. The other 2 interior lineman are called Defensive Ends in this scheme, however they are typically lined up inside of the Offensive Tackles. Primarily, they are supposed to also stop the run and push the offensive line back into the QB on passing downs. The stars of the 3-4 front are the 2 Outside Linebackers (OLB). Those 2 players are mostly in the game to rush the QB. As they are standing up and able to move to a favorable angle, Outside Linebackers in the 3-4 typically terrorize the opposing QB. Von Miller of the Denver Broncos is probably the premier OLB right now. The other 2 Linebackers have a difficult job, as they split the field in terms of coverage responsibility and often come on blitzes to confuse the offense. These 2 Linebackers are more like the Flow LBs in the 4-3. The 3-4 front is known for its more exotic blitz packages with the OLBs dropping in coverage sometimes as the inside LBs come to pressure the QB at times. Teams that employ this front now are Pittsburgh and Green Bay.
- Cover Schemes: With so many teams passing so often, how an NFL team covers the field is essential for success. Almost all teams will play all of these coverages throughout a course of a game, but more one than another. Here are the basics.
- Tampa 2/Cover 2: The Cover 2 refers to there being 2 safeties splitting the field. Often teams that use this coverage will be playing a lot of zone coverage with the safeties, but they may have the underneath Corner Backs (CBs) in either man to man or zone coverage depending on the down. The Tampa 2 which is maybe less common now, but widely popular in the early 2000s. What made a Tampa 2 successful was there were 2 Safeties deep, but the Middle Linebacker of a 4-3 front would drop really deep down the middle of the field preventing big plays. So, the Tampa 2 made offenses throw the ball closer to the line. Cover 2 Safeties need to be able to read the QBs and react to come up and make tackles. So, Cover 2 safeties have to be very sure tacklers and able to play zone coverage. If the team is a true Tampa 2, then the Middle Linebacker needs to be very fast and able to drop almost like a safety to protect that middle of the field.
- Cover 3: This coverage has 3 defensive backs off the ball at least 10-15 years, and it is typically a zone coverage dividing the field into 3 pieces. Most secondary players who can play this coverage are good at dropping back, reading the QB and then breaking on the ball when it is thrown. The Linebackers will also be covering the field in zones across the field shorter. So, Linebackers need to be disciplined to read the QB and not get turned around leaving gaps in the defense.
- Man Free: This coverage has all defensive backs and usually most Linebackers on individual players man to man except for one Free Safety in the middle of the field. That Free Safety needs to read the play as it happens and provide help, especially on deep passes. Good Free Safeties like Earl Thomas of Seattle will have great speed, instincts to read the play and ball skills to intercept passes or “ball hawking.” Cornerbacks and Linebackers need fluid hips to turn and run in coverage with a fast or elusive WR and great ball skills to either knock the ball from the receiver or intercept the ball themselves. All NFL teams would love to employ this strategy, however not every NFL Corner or Linebacker has the speed and agility to play this way. That is why elite Corners like Jalen Ramsey of Jacksonville were drafted in the Top 5. If a team has a player of that caliber, then it makes the rest of the defense better, as that one player can eliminate the other team’s best WR.
Now, overall, every NFL team will look to match a given player’s traits or abilities to their scheme, which is called a “Scheme Fit.” You will hear evaluators talk about a player being a 5 Technique (DE in a 4-3) or a Cover Corner (Man Free CB) or a Road Grater (Right OT in a PR). All of these terms really trace to a Scheme fit for a ball club. Of course, NFL prospects are adaptable, but given the size, speed and tape, most NFL teams have evaluated players based on their ability to fit into the current scheme employed by their team.
Team Traits/Identity
Beyond the Scheme Fit for a player, most teams have an identity. Some teams want players that are very cerebral and can look at hours of film to analyze a team’s strategy (all teams watch film and do this, but the priority may be higher than others). While other teams truly value toughness of a player, and they will evaluate a player’s toughness either on tape or via interviews. Finally, a growing category that matters is a player’s character. The truth is the NFL team does not want outside distractions, so even if a player is physically incredible and a scheme fit, but they have off the field issues with drugs, domestic violence or other red flags, then a team will pass on that player. Or more often than not, the draft stock or when they will be selected changes as a result of this information. Now some franchises have clear identities, and evaluators of that team are looking for players that not only fit the scheme, but the culture of the organization. The Patriots are the classic example. The Patriots want to go about their business without distractions in an extremely professional manner. Well, not all NFL prospects fit that mold. Other teams like Jacksonville who have drafted early for several years have built a culture of brash, aggressive players who are not afraid to talk trash to opponents. So, outside of the Xs and Os of the game and a player catching a ball or tackling a runner, each NFL team will identify players that can walk in their building and be at home ready to compete the way they want them to do.
Player Movement
The last component of Team Needs is player movement. The NFL is one of the only sports in the world without guaranteed contracts. Plus, there is an active free agency period prior to the NFL Draft. So, each team has holes to fill on their rosters based on retirement, loss in free agency or key injuries to players. NFL general managers (GMs) have to address the depth of certain positions or may be looking for a starter from the Draft on Day 1. Each NFL team has a depth chart, and in order to compete at a high level, every team needs certain positions to win. The QB as we have said is priority number one. So, even if the team has 5 positions vacant on Draft Day, a team with one of those 5 positions being QB will likely take one in the 1st round. QBs have gotten to such a hot commodity that trading up to the top 3 slots in the Draft is common place. In fact, this will mark the 3rd straight year that a team has traded up to within the Top 3 to select a QB. The Top 10 and most of the 1st round are intended to provide starters for the NFL team immediately. NFL GMs strategically look at the incoming Draft of players before they release or let players leave in Free Agency depending on their Draft position and the perceived talent pool at a given position.
With all these elements, an NFL team has their grades and priorities of the talent pool using – Scheme Fit, Team Traits/Identity and Player Movement.
Draft Strategy
There are really 2 sets strategies for any NFL team and 2 actions a team can employ. They are Best Player Available vs. Drafting By Need and Trading Up vs. Trading Down.
- Best Player Available (BPA) vs. Drafting by Need: We have reviewed in detail how a team’s needs come into play with making their selection. However, especially in the early rounds – Round 1-3. Many teams still employ drafting simply the best or highest graded player they have on the Board at the time of their pick. All NFL teams need talent. So, drafting the best talent can never go wrong. Of course, if this strategy was always followed then a team may only have 53 QBs or OTs. It is pretty well documented that teams that draft purely based on need will always do so. If a team constantly passes on players that eventually are all Pros, then they will not be successful. However, a balance of team needs and picking the best player is probably the wisest decision. NFL GMs cannot anticipate injuries or impact of a player once they are on a team.
- Trading Up vs Trading Down: Now, if a team does not employ the drafting the BPA at every pick, then they can be open to trades. Perhaps a team is in desperate need of a left OT and the best one is projected to be picked 2 slots ahead of that team, then the team could Trade Up to that slot to guarantee they address that need. Of course, Trading Up has a cost. Depending on how many slots and which round, the team going up will give up future draft picks in this Draft or the next. So, the GM and NFL team have to weigh the cost versus the need. Some teams are the opposite and will allow the Draft to unfold. As there are other needy teams behind them, it may make sense to Trade Down a couple of slots to pick up more picks later and still get a player they have rated very highly at the later slot. To me, this is the art of the Draft. How can teams negotiate their position, while still addressing team needs and picking the best player available in their evaluation? There is a reason NFL GMs get paid a lot of money, and that there is massive turnover in the field. The Draft is the most inexact science very created.
Alright, we have covered a lot of topics in 3 days – Draft Basics and Draft Order, Player Groupings and Evaluation, Team Needs and Draft Strategy. I’m sure there are questions or things I left out, but with this information, you should be more informed to take on the Draft in 2 weeks.
Enjoy it!
Wegs