It seems every GM, coach, and owner has a different philosophy on the best way to build a successful NFL franchise. Is it smarter to build a team more through the draft (and undrafted FA's) with youth or via free agency/trades with experienced players? While most organizations use both methods as a mix and most of them don't seem to have a heavy preference to one side or the other, some teams take a heavier approach to one of the theories. Generally, on the side of building through the draft and with Undrafted FA's are the Packers, Steelers, Colts, Titans, and Panthers. On the side of building via free agency/trades, history shows these teams are the Jets, Browns, Broncos, Bears and Redskins. There are success/failure stories on both sides of the fence. However, if you look at the champions over the last 10 years, a large majority of them built their teams through the draft and Undrafted FA's. Going back 10 years to SB XXXV, that Ravens team was young and built through the draft. A young, aggressive defense and a young, strong RB running behind a young, strong OL is what powered that team to victory. Ray Lewis, MVP of Super Bowl XXXV The Patriots won 3 of the next 4 SB's largely on a nucleus of young O-lineman, young D-lineman, young cornerbacks, and a young QB that grew up together and learned how to win together. The Patriots didn't start bringing in a lot of vets until the nucleus was already built. The other SB champ during this timeframe were the Bucs, whose defense had learned together under Dungy and finally got it done under Gruden. The next 4 SB's were won by Pittsburgh (twice), the Colts, and the Giants, who all built their teams from the ground up. If memory serves, the Giants were actually the youngest team in the league the year they won it all. Pittsburgh is famous for drafting players, making them superstars, and then letting them walk only to replace them with the next, younger version. Bill Polian is a master at drafting hidden gems and has built a perennial playoff team on it. The Saints are really the only team that seemed to have had a 50/50 mix of drafted players and free agents/traded players and actually got the job done over the last 10 years. Were they a fluke or did they figure out a magic formula that will be followed in the future? Possibly, but one thing is for sure, there appears to be a lot more success stories from the clubs who rely heavily on their drafting/coaching skills instead of praying for a 'quick fix' by overpaying a FA or trading draft picks. The lesson for owners/GM's/coaches? Stop grasping at straws by filling holes with overpaid free agents. Spend that money on the best scouts in the business and start drafting a championship-caliber roster. New England Patriots celebrating SB XXXVI Victory
