So, even if your guy busts out completely, as long as he was winning the popularity contest going in, your job is safe, cause you can defend the pick.
Joe
Not necessarily. Every GM has bad picks. We all know that. If the GM has bad picks in rounds 1-3 regularly, he is looking for a new job. If the Steelers' GM selects players with NFL skills - size, speed, positional experience - and who fit the Steelers' model, then the GM's success rate is going to much better.
I have no problem taking a flyer on a guy like Archer - but not in the 3rd round. The Al Davis-led Raiders lived by the "draft speed, NFL skill set be damned" philosophy for years. They were horrible as a result. HORRIBLE.
****, sounds like all you need to do to be a great gm is take the average of every draft board out there, and follow whatever is posted.
Joe
The problem with your dismissive attitude towards projections and scouting is the following: That is what teams have when they draft. Those kids have not actually played in the NFL. They have no track record.
But every GM knew that Megatron was an incredible talent. Why? His skill set. His size, and speed, and catch radius, and hands. GM's knew that Andrew Luck was a great prospect. Why? Again, his skill set. Size, arm, experience, intelligence.
So if you have a choice between a guy who is 5'7", 178 lbs., with no defined position, who has a history of fumbling, and who has never played a typical NFL position, but who has elite speed, and a guy who has played CB in a passing conference for 2 years, with good size, good speed, and an NFL skill set, you take the latter.
See, that's the problem with the whole thing, there will always be guys who look like they shouldn't be playing, who are, and guys who have that whole look like Tarzan play like Jane.
Joe
Nobody suggests that drafting based on physical skills is never going to fail. Nobody suggests that selecting a player who does not fit the mold will always fail.
But the draft is a matter of maximizing potential. Troy Edwards was not likely to be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL due to his size and "ehh" speed. He was a good route runner and had good hands. But taking him was a risk due to his known limitations.
That draft featured an example of our discussion. Cowher wanted Kearse - a physical freak. His speed at that size? You say, "So what? Lots of Tarzans play like Janes, you don't know how they will turn out."
I say, "Yeah, sure, some Tarzans play like Janes, but if you keep drafting Janes, you will never get a Tarzan." Indeed, isn't the Kearse vs. Edwards comparison a role model for this debate? Kearse's production in college was good-not-great. Edwards caught a zillion passes in a gimmick offense. Mattered for **** - the physical skills dominated, and gimmick production disappeared.