Questions regarding the player pool shift

[Brian-Broncos]

So, since I arrived late to the party, I have a whole bunch of questions regarding this long-term adjustment of the player pool.

Is there an example player pool we are shooting for?
What criteria are being used to define the ideal player pool?
Was there a pole to determine the criteria?
Does the latest draft pool meet the criteria? Or what season is planned to be the first where the entire draft pool meets the criteria?
What season do we expect 50% of the entire player pool to meet the criteria? How about for 75% and 100%?
Are we progressing on schedule? How do we know?

[Jerry-Redskins]

It's not a criteria change. Nothing drastic. Just spreading out the bell curve some. Goal is to have a few less top players. I'd say an easy 90% agreed to widen the bell curve some. Just slowly doing it via the draft over time. The draft classes are just a little weaker overall each year.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

Imagine having a draft class where all the players were cookie cutter and your 7th round pick was only a point or two different than your 1st round pick. Now imagine that those two are further apart in ratings. That is what we are trying to achieve, but slowly over time instead of all at once. So instead of having 1st-4th round picks being guaranteed starters it will eventually be something like 1st and 2nd rounders are the only starters, 3rd-5th will be backups and 6th and 7th rounders could be projects or guys who may be situational use guys.

[Brian-Broncos]

Goal is to have a few less top players. ... The draft classes are just a little weaker overall each year.

I hear you, but it doesn't sound like that would do much if there are still enough really good players such that everyone's team still has really good starters but not quite as many starter-quality backups.

I understand the fear of too much variance, but it just sounds fun trying to work around having a weak OL or weak corners, or to attack a team with a bad DL or WRs.

On a slightly different note, I wish we had superstars that are better than everyone else at their positions. It would just be fun to have to game plan with (or against) one of the couple of QBs in the league that can pass (or run) significantly better than all others, or to have to handle a team with one of the 2 superstar WRs or RBs? It could lead to some blockbuster trades too, I imagine.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

I think part of the adjustment is to give a little variety at some positions as well. Maybe WRs that are more possession than SP or pass catching TE vs blocking TE.

[Brian-Broncos]

Imagine having a draft class where all the players were cookie cutter and your 7th round pick was only a point or two different than your 1st round pick. Now imagine that those two are further apart in ratings.

How much farther?

So instead of having 1st-4th round picks being guaranteed starters it will eventually be something like 1st and 2nd rounders are the only starters, 3rd-5th will be backups and 6th and 7th rounders could be projects or guys who may be situational use guys.

What's a backup look like compared to a starter, such that there is an actual impact?

[Brian-Broncos]

I think part of the adjustment is to give a little variety at some positions as well. Maybe WRs that are more possession than SP or pass catching TE vs blocking TE.

Absolutely! But how, when so, so many are maxed or close to max, and it sounds like that won't be changing anytime soon?

[Matt-Jacksonville]

I believe we are almost halfway through a 10 season change...someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Dean-Atlanta]

I think we should remember that roster ratings on the player are maybe half the equation of what makes a "superstar" player. Look at QB Mac Jones on the Jets, I think Mich said he was the 32nd best QB in ratings by his criteria. Yet he has won many Player of thew Week and MVP awards and is always a top 3 QB in the season stats.

Or Brock Purdy on Charlie's SF 49ers team. He's played well enough that Charlie is trading former first overall pick in QB Joe Burrow.

The other half of the equation is coaching.

A fully MAXX QB with ratings of 81 81 81 96 71 87 92 84 would be no guarantee of leading the league in passing without starting for a well coached team.

Imagine in real life Patrick Mahomes playing for a poorly coached team. Same thing.

[Jerry-Redskins]

Dean is correct. Multiple pieces needed. I have him at #13 in ACT and #2 in POT, but he is at the top in what I consider the most important stats for success.