Can someone explain positional value?

[Time's Yours]

Obviously, I get the basic concept. Quarterback is the most important position, fullback is the least. But what about everything in between? Why is a left tackle more important than a left guard or right tackle? Why not take an LB with a top-5 pick? What is the general heirarchy of positions?

1. QB
.
.
.
DE/DT/LT/HB?
.
.
.
22. Fullback
23. Kicker
24. Punter


Edit: I forgot my post requirements. Your and idiot, and Fire Herm!!!

[RJ]

Originally Posted by phillip

Makes sense. So the QB is most important for obvious reasons.

That makes the left side of the line more important than the right.

Where do safeties and corners come in compared to LB and DL? Or is it just enough of a tossup that you go with need or BPA?

Corners are near the top, safeties near the bottom.

[Time's Yours]

Originally Posted by RJ

Exactly. And LT's are 2nd behind QB's, followed by the DE's the LT's are paid so much to block.

See I never would have guessed that. I guess because the skill positions get all the press. I could barely name an LT not with the Chiefs.

[Nightfyre]

Personally, I would break it down into 4 tiers. Tier 2 and 3 are probably closest together in terms of importance and would probably even change based on your system. Mine assumes a 4-3 defense.

Tier 1: QB, DE, DT, LT
Tier 2: RT, CB, MLB, WR
Tier 3: RB, G, C, OLB, S
Tier 4: K, P, FB

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by phillip

That makes the left side of the line more important than the right.

Most QB's are right handed. They protect the blind side. Keep your QB from getting hurt, causing him to fumble etc.

[Crybaby Power]

These are the 3 highest positional values on offense IMO
QB
LT
WR

Defense
DE
DT
MLB

[ClevelandBronco]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

...Most coaches will say that the three most important positions on a team are QB, LOT and a pass rushing DE...

And based upon this, the Chiefs decided to get rid of a proven pass rushing DE last year.

They already had one third of the puzzle, but the idea was to rebuild from scratch. Jared Allen obviously had to go.

[beach tribe]

LBs who rush the QB, and produce sacks are more valuable than ones that don't.

[Chiefnj2]

General Rule of thumb.

Tier 1
QB, LOT, DE/OLB rusher.

Tier 2
Corner, DT

Tier 3
HB, WR, MLB

Tier 4
OLB, S, all other OL

Tier 5
kickers, punters, FBs.

Of course a great player at any tier can jump all the way up - Calvin Johnson, Sean Taylor, etc.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

And based upon this, the Chiefs decided to get rid of a proven pass rushing DE last year.

They already had one third of the puzzle, but the idea was to rebuild from scratch. Jared Allen obviously had to go.

Carl Peterson. Thankfully he's no longer with the club. LT is also a very valuable position. We got a good one out of the deal.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

General Rule of thumb.

Tier 1
QB, LOT, DE/OLB rusher.

Tier 2
Corner, DT

Tier 3
HB, WR, MLB

Tier 4
OLB, S, all other OL

Tier 5
kickers, punters, FBs.

Of course a great player at any tier can jump all the way up - Calvin Johnson, Sean Taylor, etc.

Good post. A "special player" can be picked anywhere in the draft. They are rare, and of course would never include FBs.

[Amnorix]

Positional value is the degree to which having a player who is at least good and preferably great will improve your team's chances of winning relative to having simply an average player at such position or, conversely, the degree to which a mediocre player at such position will hurt your team's chances of winning.

QB is obviously #1 because they have more impact on more things than any other position on the field.

While kicker or punter may seem destiend for #24 becuase they play the least number of snap, I'd put them ahead of a position that can effectively be eliminated. FB, for example. FB is #24 on my list because you can substitute nearly anyone into that role and do a "serviceable" job.

Blind side tackle (usually left, because most QBs are righty) is a position where if you have a mediocre player, it can destroy you because one strip sack is enough to make a difference in the closely balanced NFL.

Conversely, pass-rushing DE or OLB has the same weight on the other side of the ball.

TAckles are generally more important than guards because they operate on the offensive line's edges, and if they need help, it must come from a TE or RB, which can mess up formation/play preferences. Centers are also ahead of guards because they set the pass protection. Guards can get help on either side, and don't need to make decisions, so they're less valuable.

TEs and RBs are involved in every play, so they are important. WRs less so because they don't impact as many plays in general. On running plays they have little/no impact or significance.

Defensively, pass rushers are first. Then I'd put linebackers and interior defensive linemen into the next tier down. Then cornerbacks, then safeties.

I guess I'd group them this way, more or less:

1. QBs
2. blind-side tackle and pass rushing DE/OLB
3. DL/TEs/RB/LBs/CB
4. OT/C/WR
5. Safety/Guard
6. P/K
7. FB

Of course, this whole thing is overly simplistic. A third WR mgiht be more valuable than a starting LB, in some ways, depending on the team's offensive philosophy.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Of course a great player at any tier can jump all the way up - Calvin Johnson, Sean Taylor, etc.

I'd pay Tom Brady money to Ed Reed to have him on my team. Safety or not...

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Of course, this whole thing is overly simplistic. A third WR mgiht be more valuable than a starting LB, in some ways, depending on the team's offensive philosophy.

Dammit, that sounds way better than the way I put it.

[Time's Yours]

Thanks guys. Got some really great responses. I believe I've got it now.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Crybaby Power

These are the 3 highest positional values on offense IMO
QB
LT
WR

Defense
DE
DT
MLB

I disagree with WRs being up there with QBs, and LTs, but that's just me.