Great teams draft for talent, not need

If you look at the track record of NFL teams that draft well over the recent years, it's because they don't simply draft for need, but rather the best available player out there. Sometimes that doesn't ring true, but why pass up a great player at one position just because you need a bigger upgrade at another position? As a Ravens fan, I got used to this. Ozzie Newsome has made his mark at doing just that, and with a plethora of Pro Bowl players his track record speaks for itself.

The Ravens aren't the only good example, but a good one nonetheless. They have always seemed to need offensive players, especially a quarterback, but still go for defensive talent because it's available and can help their team. They didn't necessarily need a tight end in 2001 because they still had Shannon Sharpe, but found a gem at the end of the first round in Todd Heap. They also didn't particularly need a safety when they were starting to rebuild in 2002, but they found a superstar in Ed Reed. Add defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to the list and it's no wonder they always seem to field a top-notch defense.

I will eschew discussing the Patriots because just about everything they do is shady. Instead another good example is as recent as last year's draft. The Minnesota Vikings had a 1,000-yard rusher in Chester Taylor and a lot of glaring weaknesses elsewhere on their offense and also with their pass defense. Yet Adrian Peterson was simply too good to pass up, and now Minnesota boasts one of the most dominant offensive players in football and a much more feared offense, even without a true quarterback.

Teams sometimes have needs that are simply too glaring to pass up, but more often there are players available that are simply too talented to pass up. Let's say you have a poor defense and a strong offense, especially on the offensive line. But by the luck of the draw one of the top offensive line prospects becomes available. What do you do, especially if you feel that the offensive lineman is more of a sure bet than the defensive player you covet? My opinion is you with the offensive lineman. A great player is a great player, no matter what you need.