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Positional Importance Rankings


ChaRisMa

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Thinking about the NFL today and how it has changed, just wanted to get a few peoples thoughts on what the importance level is for each position on the field right now. Here's my list...

1. Quarterback. Don't think there is any debate here. If you don't have a good QB you'll need an All-Time great defense and a good running game to have a chance.

2. Edge. Regardless of style of defense, someone who can get the QB is essential.

3. Blindside Tackle. Whether your QB is righty or lefty, you don't want him getting blown up from behind. 

4. Cornerback. If you can take the oppositions best WR out of the game via solo coverage, you open up a lot of opportunities for the rest of the defense to take risks. 

5. Edge (again). Albeit rare and undervalued, if you can get a second top flight pass rusher you already have the makings of an effective defense.

6. Wide Receiver. Some say the run opens the pass, but I can't remember the last time a team handed the ball off to advance the ball down the field down 6 with a minute remaining.

7. Free Safety. Sign of the times, I think. Often the last line of defense, and often the playmaker. You can get away with an average one, but the elite ones can destroy an offensive gameplan on instinct a lone.

8. Runningback. Although they are treated as if they are a dime a dozen, other than the QB, the guy most responsible for carrying the ball and making decisions with it is key to a teams fortunes. 

9. Cornerback (again). Anyone who is making a QB's life more difficult if getting a high spot on this list. Most high powered offenses sport two quality WR now, so to match up you need a second CB.

10. Defensive Tackle (Including NT, DT, all different Techniques). Different Defenses ask for different things but the goal remains the same: be big, move well when you need to, be immovable when you need to.

11. Tight End. You can make an argument for TE being even higher on this list now that they do more than just block and run to the sticks and turn around. They can be matchup nightmares. 

12. Wide Receiver (again). Defenses are keying on that top WR, so you better have another guy who can make them pay.

13. Inside Linebacker. The centerpiece of many defenses has gone away a little bit with fewer major names and the increase in 34 usage has faded the positions value some but still remains a big communications spot in addition to tackling machines.

14. Offensive Tackle (again). Keep the QB clean.

15. Weakside Linebacker. 43 Linebackers who are mobile enough to make plays in coverage and shoot gaps. Little more used than the Strongside counterpart in todays NFL in sub packages.

16. Center. While they usually have easier assignments than Guards, a Center can ruin an entire Offense if his protection calls are poor.

17. Strong Safety. With player safety being more closely watched, the hard hitting guys have had their abilities somewhat diminished.

18. Guard (both). Guards are still important, but todays NFL is asking them to move less, and its devaluing them.

19. Kicker. With the new PAT rules, Kickers have never been more valuable.

20. Strongside Linebacker. Pretty much two down thumpers now.

21. Fullback. Offenses are trotting quicker RBs out on third downs in place of Fullbacks to present matchup issues. But fullbacks still have their day, and I imagine as players continue to get quicker and smaller, eventually fullbacks will be back on the uptick.

22. Punter. The only people who think Punters are more important than this, are Punters.

23. Return Specialist. We've certainly seen what incredible Return Specialists can do, but many teams won't hold a roster spot purely for this guy anymore.

 

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It's always going to vary and it's hard to pin down, but that list is in the OP looks pretty good to me.

One thing I'd disagree with is the relative rankings of center and guard. A terrible center can torpedo a line, but beyond that the difference in impact between an average one and a top one isn't nearly as big as for guards. The line about the nfl devaluing guards is way off. They are clearly going up in valuation. They have gradually moved up draft boards, with it going from being acceptable to take them in the first round to now going in the top 10. And their contract values have shot up too. I'd have guard (and DT) where you have running back and push the rest down.

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Guards are valuable in todays NFL, especially with the emphasis on getting interior pressure with all these pass heavy offenses. When your interior OL can keep a guy clean, you see the results. It's no coincidence that the teams with some of the best interior OL have been the among the better teams in the league. 

There's a reason all these open market guards are getting the $$$

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I would move every offensive linemen further up on the list (minus blind side tackle) and I'd probably switch Center up even higher than the other OT. But because the league is a passing league, offensive line is about as important as it comes. If you can keep the pocket clean you can beat defenses that rely too much on pass rush.

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Here's my thing on Interior Offensive Linemen; there's a pretty good chance they are in a 3 v 2 on a high percentage of downs. Plus you can run a chip from a RB/FB/TE through there as well. Plus, even if they get blown up, the QB can see it and get rid of it.

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29 minutes ago, ChaRisMa said:

Here's my thing on Interior Offensive Linemen; there's a pretty good chance they are in a 3 v 2 on a high percentage of downs. Plus you can run a chip from a RB/FB/TE through there as well. Plus, even if they get blown up, the QB can see it and get rid of it.

What about complete garbage?  Would you rather have garbage interior lineman, or garbage wide receivers?

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2 hours ago, Jlowe22 said:

What about complete garbage?  Would you rather have garbage interior lineman, or garbage wide receivers?

Assuming the QB is worth keeping, I'd rather have trash receivers. Frankly, I prefer building an OL from the inside - out anyway, so I'd put the C above even blindside T. If the QB cannot step into his throws, it doesn't matter that you have studly T's. He'll never get anything on his throws and DB's will feast on him.

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9 minutes ago, Yibbyl said:

Assuming the QB is worth keeping, I'd rather have trash receivers. Frankly, I prefer building an OL from the inside - out anyway, so I'd put the C above even blindside T. If the QB cannot step into his throws, it doesn't matter that you have studly T's. He'll never get anything on his throws and DB's will feast on him.

Thats kinda my point.  In that sense, would guard not need to be higher than receiver on the list?  At the least, I think its ranked too low here.

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On August 10, 2017 at 6:04 PM, Jlowe22 said:

What about complete garbage?  Would you rather have garbage interior lineman, or garbage wide receivers?

 

On August 10, 2017 at 8:30 PM, Yibbyl said:

Assuming the QB is worth keeping, I'd rather have trash receivers. Frankly, I prefer building an OL from the inside - out anyway, so I'd put the C above even blindside T. If the QB cannot step into his throws, it doesn't matter that you have studly T's. He'll never get anything on his throws and DB's will feast on him.

It ALL goes hand in hand. If your WRs are complete garbage, those amazing interior offensive linemen aren't going to be able to block long enough either. And the opposite is true, yeah. 

But like I said, you can hide garbage Guard play far easier than garbage WR play. If your WRs can be covered 1 v 1 no problem week in and week out, you're done because that means the rest of the defense can do what it wants. But if your Guards start to fail, you can have literally every Offensive player help them. QBs can get the ball out faster. Centers are already there to fortify that part of the field. Tackles lend a hand. Tight Ends can slide the protection down. Wide receivers can chip an edge to help a Tackle lend a hand. RBs and FBs can help there. You can get a WR open by play design, sure. But thats the extent you're able to help them.

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