If you were the GM of a brand new franchise this year

[SissyBoyFloyd]

and had the first pick in the draft, who would you pick to be your first player ever to build your franchise around? I think this question is best served here with your explanations of why you chose that player, rather than a poll.

Since their isn't an A.P. type RB in this draft, it would be up to Joey Bosa who I think is the best player in the draft and would have the greatest effect on the opposition each week, with some consideration given to the OT from Mississippi Laremy Tunsil. I think both these players would have a long successful career with the team.

For me, my QB would have to be a more experienced player who can handle losing for the first few years. I can't see throwing a rookie QB in to lead a new franchise team.

 

[Mitch]

I agree with you that they should sign a veteran QB, but I would also draft QB Carson Went to get the franchise QB on board. As we have seen over the years---without a franchise QB, it's pretty difficult to make the playoffs and contend for the championship.

 

[Redneck Voodoo]

I agree with you that they should sign a veteran QB, but I would also draft QB Carson Went to get the franchise QB on board. As we have seen over the years---without a franchise QB, it's pretty difficult to make the playoffs and contend for the championship.

This. Then use your draft picks on young, promising O-line and front seven, peppering in BASK-type vets to help school them. We've all seen how important a solid O-line is and how limiting a weak front seven can be. Sure, it's probably going to be a few years before you produce a contender, but the foundation in the trenches (to me, at least) is the most important step.

 

[Finito]

In a draft like this I take the big offensive lineman from Ole Miss.

No real great franchise player in this draft. I think long term Buckner will be better than Bosa and if Nkimdeche is all straight in the head he's gonna have a better career than Bosa.

But with no great QB I build my offensive line and my front seven on defense.

 

[juza76]

Recently
Didnt see offensive lineman chosen in the top 10 having great performance

 

[Dude]

This year trade out and get more picks.

 

[pinetopred]

Oline front 7 for 2 yrs Qb doesn't matter till you get that in place jmo

 

[vince56]

If you're starting with an entirely new team, you're going to be bad for 1-3 years. You need leadership. I'd look for smart, tough players, with leadership experience over physical ability and then build around them with talent.

I'd start with a smart, accurate veteran QB. Then the positions to fill with intelligent leaders would be C, LT, MLB, and either FS or SS. Build from there with talent using those positions as your base.

Putting real names to it, I'm only going to speak from free agents since I don't follow college ball enough to comment with any confidence.

QB - Ryan Fitzpatrick, dude is tough as nails, can lead, but is average. Good guy to start with and draft a QB high to learn under him.
C - Mack is going to want to go to a winner (I'm a total homer here thinking Cardinals), but Wisniewski is a mercenary. Sign him. Heck even Lyle Sendlein would be a good pickup for his experience and leadership ability.
MLB - Brandon Marshall and Derrick Johnson are available. Try to snag one of them without breaking the bank.
Safety - Eric Berry. Hands down, go get him. He commands respect in the huddle with what he's been through.
LT - Russell Okung would be great, but he's going to be pricey too. Still, you're playing with about what, $130m in cap room with no penalties. You can afford to overpay a little.

From there you have to add physical talent at Guard, CB, 3T DT, OLB/DE pass rushers and run stoppers (depending on 4-3 or 3-4 alignment), WR, and RB.

You work to compete and develop your young drafted players, expecting the veterans to keep everyone in line on the field. You're going to lose 9-11 games, and you know it, but the goal is to constantly improve and win 5-6 out of those last 8 games so you can go into year 2 with momentum and make a run.

That's how I'd do it anyway, and it'd be fun

 

[AZCrazy]

If there's a top flight QB in the #1 slot, always go with that first. If not, build the trenches and everything else will follow. Otherwise you'll wallow in mediocrity forever.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

If there's a top flight QB in the #1 slot, always go with that first. If not, build the trenches and everything else will follow. Otherwise you'll wallow in mediocrity forever.

Agree build the Oline to protect the QB first of all. If I remember correctly Jacksonville did this with Tony Boselli as their first pick. Then signed a veteran QB. Made playoffs a couple of times during their first few years.

 

[vince56]

Agree build the Oline to protect the QB first of all. If I remember correctly Jacksonville did this with Tony Boselli as their first pick. Then signed a veteran QB. Made playoffs a couple of times during their first few years.

Wasn't their QB Steve Beuerlein? He was pretty good and I think made the pro bowl with the Jags.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Wasn't their QB Steve Beuerlein? He was pretty good and I think made the pro bowl with the Jags.

Not sure. Was thinking Mark Brunell but I could be mistaken.

 

[Buckybird]

Wasn't their QB Steve Beuerlein? He was pretty good and I think made the pro bowl with the Jags.

Carolina

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

By making 4 or 5 fair trades based mostly on Draft Value Chart, here is a group of players I was able to draft by simply trading the first pick in Rounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 in order to get a second pick in most rounds. Nice group of players to build a new franchise with starting by moving back 5 spots in round 1 and still being able to pick up the best OT in the draft to build a team around.

Round 1 Pick 6 (BALT): Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Round 2 Pick 5 (BALT): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Round 2 Pick 8 (T.B.): Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Round 3 Pick 1: Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
Round 3 Pick 11 (T.B.): Kyler Fackrell, OLB/DE, Utah State
Round 4 Pick 11 (NYG): Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
Round 4 Pick 16 (OAK): Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
Round 5 Pick 10 (NYG): Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State
Round 6 Pick 2: Josh Forrest, ILB, Kentucky
Round 6 Pick 9 (NYG): KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
Round 6 Pick 20 (HOU): Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
Round 7 Pick 3 (S.D.): Kevin Byard, SS, Middle Tennessee
Round 7 Pick 27 (G.B.): Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT, TCU
Round 7 Pick 28 (K.C.): Brandon Doughty, QB, Western Kentucky

Having the first pick in every round sure gives you a chance to move back just a few spots and keep picking up a second pick in every round, even getting 3 picks in the latest rounds.