Do You Draft for Need or Best Player Available?

I have been going back and forth with this and I've been trying to analyze what is actually the correct way to draft. Vinny says that he stays true to his draft board and whoever is there and the highest on the board he drafts them. So that could explain the why we haven't drafted an o-lineman since Samuels in the first round. My question is does the Pats, Steelers, Colts & others successful teams draft like that or do they draft need?

I feel like this requires a delicate balance. Luckily for us, every position is a need -- so best player available. Personally, I think you need to weigh both best player and what you have at that position. If you're really deep at say LB, probably not a great idea to draft a LB with your first pick. But if you need both OT and RB, look at the better overall player and go for it.

That's my two cents.

I prefer drafting based on need. When you have an organizational plan and a system in place for the long term then assessing your needs and finding the right players to fit that need is much easier IMO. When you look at Pittsburgh or Indy or Philly, they have their systems and when they have needs identified they make the neccessary moves to address that need.

Rather than drafting the 'best player' regardless of scheme or system fit gives you a bunch of square pegs in round holes or as it's more commonly known, the 2009 Washington Redskins.

we draft for need....in that we need a lot more picks. Trade the first round pick and pick up a lower 1st rounder and a couple of 2nd's.

I prefer drafting based on need. When you have an organizational plan and a system in place for the long term then assessing your needs and finding the right players to fit that need is much easier IMO. When you look at Pittsburgh or Indy or Philly, they have their systems and when they have needs identified they make the neccessary moves to address that need.

Rather than drafting the 'best player' regardless of scheme or system fit gives you a bunch of square pegs in round holes or as it's more commonly known, the 2009 Washington Redskins.

agree 100%

It really depends on your needs, position in the draft, who's still available, round, etc etc etc. But when you have guys that know everything and have an arrogant approach and opinion of their method, meh

We´re the redskins. We draft neither need nor best available. We just pick a WR.

All I know is we have to draft Toby Gerhart from Stanford somehow, this guy is an animal. They are 1/2 way through the 2nd quarter and he has 90 yards and 2 td's against Oregon, that's 15 td's so far this year in the Pac10.

Update* 38 Rush, 222 yds 3 TDs beating Oregon, the team that kicked USC's butt last week 51-42.

It is a mix. You try to take the best player available, but if it is close in talent and the player who u need his positions is a little bit worse, take him. Can't ignore positions, but talent is the biggest factor. For example, we inevitably will draft at least one O-lineman this year (no guarantee where though).

BPA is a myth.....some people say its a mix but really, if your picking the BPA at a position of need, arent you really drafting on need?

very rarely does a team pick the BPA solely because they are the best player available.....you can point out teams like detroit when they drafted WRs 4 years in a row in the first round.....but that only happens once in a blue moon.....teams draft based on need and usually only on needs

you guys need to focus on offensive linemen and a better QB....there are a couple QBs coming out but if you have a shot at a kristofer o'dowd type of player, id jump at the opportunity...QB can wait because you guys already have a young QB waiting for his shot in the NFL