Poll Question: Do you feel this draft was different than past drafts under Tomlin?

I get your point and mostly agree. BPA how? In college? As a projected pro player? What is the best definition of BPA?

Was Dupree BPA or was his projected skillset matched with need the deciding factor. Golson in rd 2? Colbert said after the draft definitely they were coming out of the 2nd RD with a corner. Now is that drafting BPA or need?

I think the truth is team's don't draft BPA exclusively. Teams build their board, which is based on team needs coupled with player grades and the best GM's stay true to their boards. BPA is mostly seen in the late rds where they are trying to find players to fill backup roles, ST, and develop to future starters.

Cajun

 

The Jets just drafted the BPA number 6 overall, Diamond. DL was not a need for them at all, but the value of the kid from USC was so high they took him.

 

To me that says, "Oh yeah?? If cats are real, why don't you show me some!!" Okay, I guess I'm doing this... I don't want to spend all day showing you pictures of cats (especially since I know you'll somehow deny they are really cats and I won't get anywhere), but I'll do a couple.

This year the Jets drafted DL Leonard Williams at #6 overall, despite having a stacked defensive line. They had glaring needs at lots of other positions. DL was probably the last place on the team they needed help, but Williams was just too much better than everyone else on the board. This is the very definition of a BPA pick. They passed on filling holes and instead took the best player, even though now there might be too many cooks in that kitchen.

That's just the first that springs to mind. Here are a couple others.

In 2011, the Steelers drafted Cameron Heyward, despite being so stacked at the position that the #1 pick they chose at the same position 2 years earlier was still coming off the bench instead of starting. Aaron Smith was returning from injury, but Brett Keisel still had plenty of good years left and was healthy, and Ziggy Hood was an up-and-comer following a strong 2010 season played in relief of Smith. The team had glaring needs at OT and every position in the secondary. Derek Sherrod, Ras-I Dowling, Aaron Williams, and Rahim Moore were all names thrown around for us. We didn't need a DL at the time, but we took one anyway because he was better than everyone else. And we were right.

In 2007 the Steelers drafted LaMarr Woodley to play OLB right after - the same day - they drafted Lawrence Timmons to play OLB. They literally drafted the same position back-to-back, even though only one spot was deemed available at the time. Ironically, that spot wasn't available for long, since James Harrison went nuts and became one of the greatest players at the position in history. So, now what? We've got first and second round draft picks just sitting around?? It still worked out, because Timmons converted to ILB and Woodley was so good (in fact, he was the best player available) that he put the reliable but unspectacular Clark Haggans out of a job. We didn't need a player at Woodley's position, but it's a good thing we took him, because he was the best player, and by drafting the best players, you make yourself a good team.

Now, you can go ahead and say that we secretly did need Heyward, because Ziggy would eventually not sign a second contract and Keisel would eventually retire. That's all well and good, but that doesn't mean we took a need, because there was no need at the time. We took the BPA on the assumption that there would eventually be a need - or, if there wasn't, that it wouldn't matter because this guy would be better than the other guys. Every position is a need if you look years into the future, so don't make that argument.

Go ahead and give all the examples of drafting based on need that you want. There are millions. It happens all the time. I don't deny it. I agree with that. But your claim that no one EVER drafts BPA and it's a myth is crazy and factually incorrect.

 

Different draft, same old inconsistent Tomlin who has failed to develop players and win vs. lower tier teams. Case in point, run Bell till the wheels fall off, then when a wheel fell off during the playoffs, no one was ready to step into a backup roll. If Mr. Inconstant would of had his team ready to play vs. the lower ranked teams the Steelers may of had a bye week.