"Best Player Available" is a Myth And Just Another Football Cliche

 Every year, before the draft, we hear teams say that they are going to take Best Player Available.  After the draft this concept is proven wrong.  Yet this cycle continues year after year.  WHY?  Because each team has different criteria of who is best player for their needs at that spot in that round. 

During the Broncos' heyday they drafted undersized OL, while the Cowboys drafted big OL.  So these teams weren't looking for same type of player.  Teams with different offensive and defensive styles do the same. 

Yet the players are ranked by position and best player from 1-100 or more.  Last draft five tackles were expected to go in the first round.  The top four tackles ranking changed from pre-combine, post-combine, and at the draft. 

During the draft, Jason Smith was second choice in the first round, Andre Smith was sixth, Monroe eighth, Oher 23rd, and Britton dropped to the second round.  Jason Smith started at RT but ended up on bench, Andre Smith was a backup OT, Monroe started at LT, Oher started at RT and outplayed the others.  Britton started RT from the get go. 

So Jason Smith wasn't the best player available at tackle and at the second player taken in first round.  Mark Sanchez should have been their choice for greatest need and biggest impact.  But he wasn't ranked Best Player Available at the second spot in the first round. 

None of the DE/DTs drafted in the first round became starters or make any impact.  This also held true in the second round.  The only top rated DE in the first round to play well was Orakpo, who was converted into a linebacker. 

There are examples like these at most positions and in every year of the draft.  Every mock draft will try to pick what they think is Best Player Available.  In 1983, QBs Blackledge and Eason were taken before Marino in the first round.  QBs McGuire and Marinovich were the only two QBs taken in the first round in that draft.  Near the top of the second round Favre was taken.  Montana and Fouts were third round choices. 

Rogers, Williams, and Terrill were top 10 choices at WR in different years.  They are known now as three of the biggest busts and are out of football.  Next time you hear Best Player Available, then remember this article.