Chapter 556: 555 operating behind the scenes Chapter 556: 555 operating behind the scenes In 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs ignited the entire League with a series of dazzling moves and undisputably became the biggest winners of the NFL Draft.
In 2018, the Baltimore Ravens, having bided their time, finally revealed their edge, with John Harbaugh showing the courage he possessed as a head coach.
Originally, quarterback wasn’t even on Harbaugh’s draft target list.
The reason was very simple: the Ravens’ hesitation and indecision had all come to an end during the offseason.
Indeed, they desperately needed a quarterback, as Joe Flacco’s performance had been slowly declining every year, and this 33-year-old veteran was definitely not the future of the team; but the Baltimore Ravens had always been a traditional defensive powerhouse, they didn’t need to rely on the offensive group to win games.
After careful consideration, Harbaugh decided to let Flacco continue to start, and one week before the draft commenced, signed a one-year contract with Griffin III, who had been completely off the radar for a full year; Harbaugh planned to see if the former first overall pick still had any potential to unearth.
In other words, the Ravens now had two quarterbacks capable of starting, they really didn’t need to get involved in this year’s draft quarterback battle, taking a position like a spectator watching a fight from the safety of the hills.
In fact, when it came to the Ravens’ turn to pick, they even traded away their draft position, executing a trade with the Tennessee Titans; then the Ravens calmly selected a tight end at the 25th pick, completing their draft plan at their own pace.
Calm, composed, and experienced.
Once they had a target in mind, they refused to act on impulse and shunned rash decisions, displaying the deep-rooted foundation of a traditional strong team in the American League.
An unexpected opportunity arose—
This potential first overall pick quarterback with polarizing evaluations endured a nightmare worse than Rodgers or Watson’s, foolishly sitting in the Little Green House for over four hours, about to fall out of the first round of the draft.
This kind of situation happens every year.
Players who are highly praised and favored before the draft but encounter cold shoulders during it—Jackson was neither the first nor will he be the last.
Among these players, some have proven themselves, but many more have confirmed the astuteness of the teams; so, which one was Jackson?
At this moment, the Baltimore Ravens showed another side of being a traditional strong team:
Strike when the time is right.
It wasn’t about being impulsive or taking a risk, but about seizing opportunities while they present themselves.
Watching Jackson slip down and be ignored by everyone, the Ravens saw Jackson’s value.
Indeed, they didn’t need a quarterback for the time being, but that didn’t mean they didn’t need a brand new cornerstone.
Whether it was Flacco or Griffin III, they could manage for a season or two, but ultimately they wouldn’t be the future of the team.
Even if it wasn’t this year, next year the Ravens would have to pick a rookie quarterback.
Now the opportunity had presented itself, an unpolished gem right before their eyes, available at a reasonable, even bargain price?
The Baltimore Ravens had no reason to pass it up.
On the first day of the 2018 NFL Draft, as the Ravens snapped up Jackson at the last moment, the event roared to a dramatic close amidst much excitement.
Jackson was stunned, as were other professionals and teams.
Indeed, what competitive sports crave is that thrill.
For the second consecutive year, a team’s bold move showed the determination of the management team, ensuring that the excitement of the draft continued right until the final moment.
Here, Jackson narrowly made it into the first round at the buzzer, becoming the fifth quarterback selected, proving that quarterbacks are still the darling of the League.
Over there, before Baltimore Ravens’ last-minute score, the draft had already created one classic moment after another.
This year, the first overall pick Mayfield was a quarterback, and so was Top Scholar Danord, finally breaking the quarterback chain—the second pick wasn’t a quarterback—
The New York Giants baffled everyone.
Since the Thanksgiving quarterback drama, almost everyone was convinced the New York Giants were on the verge of ushering in a new era of quarterbacks, especially in a year brimming with quarterback talent.
With the second pick, they could choose an exceptionally gifted player, but the Giants’ management did not.
Saquon Barkley, a running back from Penn State University.
A running back, really?
The League was in shock, momentarily unable to decipher the New York Giants’ draft strategy.
Were they preparing to tank another season?
All eyes immediately turned to Barkley.
Because of the unexpected choice by the New York Giants, and because of the position of running back—
Last year, Top Scholar Li Wei had an unparalleled rookie season, setting a benchmark not just for Barkley but for any running back entering the League.
They all had to look up to him and shoulder the expectations coming from all directions.
As this year’s second pick, Barkley was naturally the first in line.
However, this young man appeared full of confidence, having set his sights early on.
“Li Wei, I’m coming for you.”
Barkley had already thrown down the gauntlet even before officially entering the League.
Li Wei: …In training, do not disturb.
If I had to respond to every Tom, Dick, and Harry’s bluster, I wouldn’t need training or games—I could just lie on the couch all day, live-streaming responses.
This year, a total of three running backs were selected in the first round, but their hype and atmosphere couldn’t compare to last year’s; instead, it was the linemen who were in fierce competition.
In the first round, a total of five linemen were selected, equaling the number of quarterbacks.
Among them were the Tennessee Titans who traded up, and the Buffalo Bills who possessed two first-round selections.
Compared to the Baltimore Ravens, who made a fuss and maximized their gains at minimal cost, the Buffalo Bills were especially low-key.
Without any grand gestures and relying more on the picks they had traded for, they quietly went about their business behind the scenes, discreetly building a brand-new team—
A quarterback Josh Allen and a lineman Tremaine Edmunds, certainly not inferior to last year’s Kansas City Chiefs or this year’s Baltimore Ravens, making big moves silently.
At this point, one could see the important role a team manager plays.
There are team managers like the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills who have a clear and decisive approach, building competitive teams according to the needs of their roster.
There are team managers like the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, who hold advantages yet their draft strategies are incomprehensible, resembling whimsical acts of art.
And there are team managers like the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, who are careful planners with bold spirit, yet often lack that spark of inspiration in the details.
Veach, the manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, is a growing breed.
He knows his weaknesses but also has his strengths, listens to advice, and takes a comprehensive view.
Once he’s made a decision based on the bigger picture and long-term considerations, he doesn’t waver.
Following last year, the Kansas City Chiefs had another productive draft this year.
Even though the first day had nothing to do with the team, from the second day on, it was Veach’s time to shine.