Why Teams Don’t Always Draft the Best Player Available

Every draft cycle, fans lock into big boards, scroll through mock drafts, and convince themselves there’s only one rule to follow: just take the best player available.

But that’s not how NFL teams operate. Drafting isn’t just about talent. It’s about building a full roster, managing contracts, projecting development, and finding the right fit within a system. The best player available idea sounds great in theory, but behind the scenes, it’s rarely that simple.

Here’s why teams don’t always go with the highest-ranked guy on the board and why that can end up being the smarter move.

1. It Has to Make Sense for the Roster

Draft picks need to fit the roster in a real way. If there’s no path to playing time or development, it doesn’t matter how talented the player is. Teams are thinking not just long-term, but how that pick fits into the room now and if there’s room to grow.

Fautanu

Example: The Steelers took Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 draft, even though a lot of people expected a wide receiver or corner. On paper, tackle didn’t look like a huge need after drafting Broderick Jones the year before, but Pittsburgh wanted to solidify both sides of the line. They didn’t reach to fill a flashy hole, Fautanu gave them position flexibility and insurance. He was another piece to a young offensive line the Steelers are building around. It wasn’t about who had the biggest name left. It was about making the roster stronger where it matters most.

2. Not Every Position Carries the Same Value

Some positions are just worth more in today’s game. Left tackles, corners, edge rushers, and quarterbacks impact the outcome more than others. Teams factor that into their decision-making.

Bowers

Example: The Raiders drafted Brock Bowers at 13, even though tight end isn’t usually seen as a premium position. But Bowers is different. He’s more than a tight end. He’s a mismatch weapon who gives their offense versatility. This wasn’t about taking the flashiest name, it was about adding someone who completely changes how they can attack defenses.

3. Some Picks Are Investments in the Future

Strong front offices draft based on where the roster is heading, not just where it is now. If a player is approaching the end of a contract or the team wants to avoid a future cap hit, they might make a move before the need becomes urgent.

McCarthy and Darnold

Example: The Vikings traded up to take J.J. McCarthy at pick 10 even after signing Sam Darnold. That decision was not about starting McCarthy in Week 1. It was about developing a quarterback who could lead the franchise long-term. When a front office believes in a quarterback, they take the risk and consider timing, upside, and building around the most important position on the field. This also allowed McCarthy to take the season off and rehab his knee while still learning the playbook, as Sam Darnold walked in free agency and signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

4. Scheme Fit Can Make or Break a Prospect

A player can have great tape and standout traits, but if his skill set does not match what a team runs, it makes the projection much harder. Coaches and scouts spend months making sure players fit the team’s identity.

Newton

Example: Johnny Newton was one of college football's most disruptive defensive linemen, yet he slipped into the second round. It was not about his ability or production. It came down to system fit. Newton is most effective in one-gap attacking schemes where he can use his quickness to get up field. Teams that play more two-gap or read-based fronts did not see a clean role for him. Instead of forcing the fit, they moved on.

5. Medical and Off-Field Evaluations Change Everything

Fans and media see highlights and draft grades while teams see full medical reports and go through multiple interviews. One red flag can be enough to shift a player down the board, no matter the talent.

Latu

Example: Laiatu Latu had some of the best pass rush tape in the entire class, but his history with a neck injury that once ended his college career raised concern. The Colts were comfortable enough to take him at pick 15 while other teams were not. It was not about doubting his skill set but weighing the long-term risk. Also, character and values are another aspect teams consider like how the Eagles for instance will not look at players who have a prior history of being violent towards women.

6. Every Team Builds Its Board Differently

There is no universal draft board. Each team evaluates players through its own lens based on: scheme, character, traits, positional value, and long-term strategy. What looks like a surprise pick on TV might have been the plan all along.

Pearsall

Example: When the 49ers selected Ricky Pearsall at pick 31, it caught most people off guard. Pearsall checked off Kyle Shanahan’s offensive traits like route running, timing, and toughness. With uncertainty around Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation, the 49ers needed someone who fits their system and timeline. It was not about reaching. It was about continuity.

Final Thought: The Draft Is More Than Just Rankings

The best player available strategy makes sense in theory, but the draft is much more complex. Teams are not just stacking talent. They are building complete rosters based on fit, value, contract structure, and long-term development. When a team passes on a big name or goes in a different direction, it does not always mean they made a mistake. It usually means they are operating with a bigger picture in mind that we are not privy to on draft night.