[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Well HIGH draft picks aren't really 'least costly method'. The least costly method is by hitting in the 3rd and 4th round where you are typically drafting for depth and you find starters. Also by sourcing and signing undrafted free agents. For example I heard Mark Dominick on radio earlier this week saying they looked at the undrafted FA this year as their '2nd draft' considering players like LeGarrette Blount a secondary draft pick. He said they scouted deeply the 2010 draft for impact players beyond the 7 rounds.

I consider high round picks to be 3rd round picks and higher.
In terms of the probability of grabbing "sustainable" talent at "impact positions"(NT, elite pass rusher, LT, WRs) at reasonable prices, the 1st three rounds have best probability in getting all of that. We've had first rounders pan out just fine, but we have usually either traded away our 2nd rounders or bombed on them for since Gibbs II at the very least.

At least we have kept our mitts tightly on those 3rd round picks after Gibbs II's horrible management of the 3rd round picks. While Rhinehart has tanked, there is still hope for Barnes and Jarmon.

Obviously, we need to raid practice squads and UDFA great, good, and decent bargains. But Shanahan showed his true with regards to rebuilding __at least for this year__ when he committed roster spot after roster spot to Larry Johnson, Galloway, etc. As a result, he did not give himself the opportunity to grab younger and "longer-lasting" talent. Instead, they were nabbed by other teams.