The groups of players comprise the same total positions: 1 OT, 1 RB, 1 WR, 1 DE, 1 CB, 2 LB

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GROUP A

OT – Andre Smith...27 games, Car AV = 2

RB – Kenny Irons...0 games

WR – Jerome Simpson...71 rec, 1004 yd, 7 td

DE – Michael Johnson...59 tkl, 1 int, 11.5 sacks

CB – Leon Hall...222 tkl, 20 int, 0 sacks

LB – Keith Rivers...120 tkl, 2 int, 2 sacks

LB – Rey Maualuga...132 tkl, 3 int, 2 sacks

1006 total yards, 7 total td’s

540 tkl, 26 int, 15.5 sacks

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GROUP B

OT – Ryan Clady...64 games, Car AV = 33, 1 pro-bowl, 1 all-pro season

RB – Ray Rice...6,612 total yards, 29 total td, 2 pro-bowls

WR – Mike Wallace...171 rec 3206 yards, 24 td, 1 pro-bowl

DE – Charles Johnson...119 tkl, 0 int, 30.5 sacks

CB – Jarius Byrd...166 tkl, 13 int, 2 sacks, 1 pro-bowl

LB – Clay Matthews...131 tkl, 4 int, 29.5 sacks, 3 pro-bowls, 1 all-pro

LB – Lamar Woodley...169 tkl, 4 int, 48.0 sacks, 1 pro-bowl

9962 total yards, 53 total td’s

598 tkl, 21 int, 110 sacks

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So what is the main difference between Group A and Group B?

Group A is drafting by NEED

Group B is drafting by Best Available

The top 2 picks in 2007 were L Hall #18 and K Irons #49

But could have been L Woodley (46) and C Johnson (83)

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The top 2 picks in 2008 were K Rivers #9 and J Simpson #46

But could have been R Clady (12) and R Rice (55)

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The top 3 picks in 2009 were A Smith #6, R Maualuga #38, M Johnson #70

But could have been C Matthews (26), J Byrd (42), M Wallace (84)

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In each draft, when they went after a need, they handcuffed themselves from taking the best player available at that position the next year, but had to fill another need, and missed out on the top players.

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Had they taken OT in 2008 (when it wasn’t a need) they wouldn’t have to reach for Andre Smith in 2009.

Had they not reached for Andre Smith in 2009, they could have taken Clay Matthews.

Had they taken Clay Matthews, they wouldn’t have needed to take Rey Maualuga.

Had they not reached for Simpson at WR in 2008, they could have taken Wallace in 2009

Had they not reached for Irons in 2007 they could have taken Rice in 2008

Etc..., etc..., etc...

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The point being that when you draft for need, you may fill an immediate perceived weakness, but you are short-selling yourself and limiting your ability to take the best players available that may fall to you in subsequent drafts. Also by filling needs, you pass over better players because they may not be seen as an immediate need, but ultimately taking these better players will improve your team.

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Conclusion being if you want the better team, you have to take the better players (best available).