Mueller's Draft Strategies

[PhinPhan in MA]

The Sun-Sentinel posted a nice article talking about the strategies that Mueller uses when considering draft picks. Check that out here. It's very encouraging to see that he places such a high premium on stockpiling young QB talent. Even if it may not be necessary right now, that is a position where it is crucial to have good young talent waiting in the wings.

I also really like his views on taking the best-available player whenever possible instead of reaching for a need-pick. The NFL is far too unpredictable to sacrifice several draft picks just to get a player who is thought to fill a need. Not only is every player in the draft a risk to some extent, but any position that a team thinks it is set at could turn into a position of need with the tear of a ligament or failure of a drug test. Knowing that, it's nice to know that Mueller is not averse to add depth at positions that are seemingly set if the player chosen truly represented the best talent available. One great example that I can think of is the Chief's drafting of Larry Johnson when they had Priest Holmes who was playing fantastic. That move was widely questioned at the time, but today it looks to have been a pretty good move taking the talent instead of reaching for a need.

The article also points out that Mueller places a priority on speed. He also likes pass rushers on defense.

So, are you guys in favor of the type of strategy that Mueller uses?

 

[dougfinsfan72]

good post. nice to get a little insight into muellers thinking. has he ever drafted a qb in the first round? how about a wr in the first round? Who and when?

 

[SR 7]

good post. nice to get a little insight into muellers thinking. has he ever drafted a qb in the first round? how about a wr in the first round? Who and when?

i konw stallworth at 11 i think.

this article just ****ed thigns up more now. now im 2x as nervous and anxious as i was before. WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!! LOLLL

 

[SR 7]

great post btw :)

 

[Regan21286]

The Sun-Sentinel posted a nice article talking about the strategies that Mueller uses when considering draft picks. Check that out here. It's very encouraging to see that he places such a high premium on stockpiling young QB talent. Even if it may not be necessary right now, that is a position where it is crucial to have good young talent waiting in the wings.

I also really like his views on taking the best-available player whenever possible instead of reaching for a need-pick. The NFL is far too unpredictable to sacrifice several draft picks just to get a player who is thought to fill a need. Not only is every player in the draft a risk to some extent, but any position that a team thinks it is set at could turn into a position of need with the tear of a ligament or failure of a drug test. Knowing that, it's nice to know that Mueller is not averse to add depth at positions that are seemingly set if the player chosen truly represented the best talent available. One great example that I can think of is the Chief's drafting of Larry Johnson when they had Priest Holmes who was playing fantastic. That move was widely questioned at the time, but today it looks to have been a pretty good move taking the talent instead of reaching for a need.

The article also points out that Mueller places a priority on speed. He also likes pass rushers on defense.

So, are you guys in favor of the type of strategy that Mueller uses?

I agree, though in some spots, speed isn't everything. But if he wants to really shore up depth, he should draft a QB like Brady Quinn to really solidify the QB position. I know he usually goes with a lower round pick but with the current lineup, I think a first rounder is warranted.

 

[finfan54]

I agree, though in some spots, speed isn't everything. But if he wants to really shore up depth, he should draft a QB like Brady Quinn to really solidify the QB position. I know he usually goes with a lower round pick but with the current lineup, I think a first rounder is warranted.

It seems like Brady Quinn is the guy that Mueller seems focused on since we got the QB coach for him, but one has to wonder why we would make it so obvious because alot of people including Mel Kiper have us taking him. Now some team will take a serious look at him and take him like say......Houston. Which leads me to think we will take someon else and he will snag Stanton in round 2.

People who are definitely in play:

Alan Branch - if he is there at 9, then this solves some problems
Levi Brown- No need for explanation, just depends if Mueller sees him as solid LT for 10 years or so.
Brady Quinn - making obvious overtones for the guy

 

[IluvJuMiami]

this article just ****ed thigns up more now. now im 2x as nervous and anxious as i was before. WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!! LOLLL

You're right. The article basically reiterated Mueller could take anyone at 9; OB, speed, rusher, BPA and at some point everyone falls into the the BPA category.

If Quinn falls past Cleveland, I think Muller will make a play for him. Hopefully it'll be cheap.

 

[PHINANALYST]

Yes, you win in this game with the best talent that translates into perfect execution ...

So, yes, yes, yes ... you take the best players available ... either way its an upgrade over what you currently have ... or it provides for required depth for 1 to 2 years ...

That's how you prevent 1-4 players dictating your salary cap -- by having replacements waiting ... and that my friends is the GMs job ...

 

[etsudolfan]

You're right. The article basically reiterated Mueller could take anyone at 9; OB, speed, rusher, BPA and at some point everyone falls into the the BPA category.

If Quinn falls past Cleveland, I think Muller will make a play for him. Hopefully it'll be cheap.

I agree if he slips past #3...I think we make a trade to get him (with Washington IMO)

 

[Geforce]

good post. nice to get a little insight into muellers thinking. has he ever drafted a qb in the first round? how about a wr in the first round? Who and when?

Mueller has never drafted a QB on the first DAY. I think Marc Bulger was taken in the 4th round.

He's drafted two WRs in the first round. Joey Gallaway in '95 and Donte Stallworth in '02.

 

[PhinstiGator]

Mueller has never drafted a QB on the first DAY. I think Marc Bulger was taken in the 4th round.

He's drafted two WRs in the first round. Joey Gallaway in '95 and Donte Stallworth in '02.

No, Bulger was a 6th round pick. It's certainly true that he doesn't draft QB's high.

McAllister was a no brainer as he fell to the 23rd spot and Ricky was talking about playing baseball.

Getting LeCharles Bentley in the 2nd was a solid pick. Who incidentally, might be facing career ending surgery. We can still trade McKinney to the Browns for a second day pick.

It's very likely that Mueller will look to add a speedster at WR, an outside LB/DE to rush the QB, and a 2nd day QB to learn behind Lemon.

 

[ckparrothead]

Question: What GM is going to talk to the media about how sometimes it is necessary to "reach" for a player because his position is a position of need?

Answer: The GM that is not employed by an NFL team, and never hopes to be employed by one again.

 

[PhinfanUK]

I like that Mueller is now in charge and I hear that he has been successful in past drafts. Can anybody offer a list of the first round picks he has had in the past few years?

 

[Geforce]

The Case for Randy Mueller

I like that Mueller is now in charge and I hear that he has been successful in past drafts. Can anybody offer a list of the first round picks he has had in the past few years?

You can read about those picks here
http://bremertonians.blogspot.com/2005/01/case-for-randy-mueller.html

edit: CK also did a post about Mueller a couple of years ago.
http://www.finheaven.com/boardvb2/showthread.php?t=81670 very good read as usual from him.

 

[PhinPhan in MA]

Question: What GM is going to talk to the media about how sometimes it is necessary to "reach" for a player because his position is a position of need?

Answer: The GM that is not employed by an NFL team, and never hopes to be employed by one again.

I realize that no GM is going to come out in the media and propose "reaching" for a need pick as his strategy, but GMs clearly do publicly distinguish between need picks and best-player-available picks. Mueller is quoted in the article as saying

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"The ideal situation is to have the most talented guy to be there at a position need for you and when you strike that you have a pretty good fit," Mueller said. "I think you get in trouble when need becomes so paramount, you reach and don't take talented and good football players."

My point was simply that I think it is a good thing that Mueller prefers best-player-available picks over need picks. And obviously the best situation is when the best player available plays at a position of need.