What are the most important positions in REAL football?

[lukkynumber13]

In an IDP forum, Bruiser got me thinking about the values of different positions for a real life NFL defense. Now carrying that over to ALL positions (especially as I prep for the NFL draft process), I'm wondering: what do y'all think are the most important positions in real football? Here's how I'll rank them, as if all the players were in a pool and all 32 NFL teams redrafted.

1. QB
---
2. OT
3. Edge rusher
---
4. CB
5. DL
6. G/C
7. WR
8. RB
9. ILB
---
10. TE
11. KR/PR
12. S

[mratlanta]

I would say OT, Guards and Center at the top. No matter how good your QB, WRs and RBs are you aren't getting much done with poor line play. They are the foundation for everything.

[Pac_Eddy]

Here's how I'd build a team (by tiers)
1. QB

2. OL, DL

3. Edge Rusher, CB

4. LBs, WRs

5. TE, S, RB

[lukkynumber13]

I wonder: what is more valuable to a real life NFL team, in a vacuum? Stud DL who rushes the passer, such as Aaron Donald, Cam Jordan, Everson Griffen? Or a pass rushing LB such as Houston, Von, or Whitney Mercilus?

[ericanadian]

Offensive Tackle used to be huge, but the more I've looked at it, the more I'm becoming convinced that the center is the most important part of the line. Cleveland has an elite left tackle in Joe Thomas, but it is completely undone by their incompetent center Cameron Erving. When Mawae left Tennessee, the line fell apart and went from rushing CJ2K, to CJ(insert lame joke here). I'd also say depth is probably more important than elite guys on the defensive side, while the opposite is true on the offensive side.

I'd probably go:

QB
Pass Rusher
Center
Cornerback
Defensive Tackle
Offensive Tackle
Offensive Guard
Wide Receiver
Linebacker
Safety
Running back

[kylejargon]

I understand the importance of qb, but I do not think it is the single most important position. If Rodgers, Brees, or Brady played for 49ers or Browns, how many games do you think they would improve said team? I know it is college, but Alabama has won multiple championships without a starting NFL qb (even though I think McCarron will start for someone eventually). My list would be:

1. Pass Rusher
2. Center
3. OT
4. QB
5. MLB (look what Luke did for Carolina)
6. CB
7. DT
8. WR (qb needs someone to catch balls)
9. DE
10. FS/SS
11. RB (if you build the line correctly, anyone in nfl can run)

[Phaded]

The thing is - as much as we want to argue about how important individual positions are; NFL is the ultimate team effort.

Having the best pass rusher in the league doesn't do anything if you do not have good pieces around him.
Having the best left tackle in the league doesn't mean anything if the rest of the line is crap.
Having the best quarterback or running back in the league doesn't mean anything if the offensive line cannot block.

See my point?
All positions are interlaced with each other and the NFL is the ultimate team game.
You have 22 players on the field at any given time - so while one player can make a big difference, one player doesn't decide the team.

What would you rather have? An overall unit with average to good players or an overall unit with a couple of elite guys and then sub-par pieces around them?
Not sure what the correct answer is - one player absolutely helps, but the NFL goes so far beyond what one player can do.

I think the attempt to rank positions by importance is one that you'll have many conflicting responses with; because to be honest, I don't believe there is any right answer.

[lukkynumber13]

The thing is - as much as we want to argue about how important individual positions are; NFL is the ultimate team effort.

Having the best pass rusher in the league doesn't do anything if you do not have good pieces around him.
Having the best left tackle in the league doesn't mean anything if the rest of the line is crap.
Having the best quarterback or running back in the league doesn't mean anything if the offensive line cannot block.

See my point?
All positions are interlaced with each other and the NFL is the ultimate team game.
You have 22 players on the field at any given time - so while one player can make a big difference, one player doesn't decide the team.

What would you rather have? An overall unit with average to good players or an overall unit with a couple of elite guys and then sub-par pieces around them?
Not sure what the correct answer is - one player absolutely helps, but the NFL goes so far beyond what one player can do.

I think the attempt to rank positions by importance is one that you'll have many conflicting responses with; because to be honest, I don't believe there is any right answer.

Soooo, you're telling long snapper..? I'll put you down for LS, Phaded

[lukkynumber13]

In all seriousness I totally feel you

[Pac_Eddy]

The thing is - as much as we want to argue about how important individual positions are; NFL is the ultimate team effort.

Having the best pass rusher in the league doesn't do anything if you do not have good pieces around him.
Having the best left tackle in the league doesn't mean anything if the rest of the line is crap.
Having the best quarterback or running back in the league doesn't mean anything if the offensive line cannot block.

See my point?
All positions are interlaced with each other and the NFL is the ultimate team game.
You have 22 players on the field at any given time - so while one player can make a big difference, one player doesn't decide the team.

What would you rather have? An overall unit with average to good players or an overall unit with a couple of elite guys and then sub-par pieces around them?
Not sure what the correct answer is - one player absolutely helps, but the NFL goes so far beyond what one player can do.

I think the attempt to rank positions by importance is one that you'll have many conflicting responses with; because to be honest, I don't believe there is any right answer.

You're not even going to give it a stab?

I agree that it's the ultimate team effort, but let's have some fun here. No one's going to drag you out & make you prove it.

[maxhyde]

Head Coach

[steelman]

I wonder: what is more valuable to a real life NFL team, in a vacuum? Stud DL who rushes the passer, such as Aaron Donald, Cam Jordan, Everson Griffen? Or a pass rushing LB such as Houston, Von, or Whitney Mercilus?

It depends on the system. Aaron Donald is a stud where he is, but put him in Pittsburgh and he wouldn't be. Different players are suited to different systems/schemes.

[slaughterrt]

I'm a firm believer in the Lines and that the battles are won in the trenches...meaning the offensive and defensive line. Solidify your O and D line and build your way out from there. You can make up for a lot of deficiencies at other positions if you have a good line.

A solid O-line can make great holes that an average RB can blast through. A solid O-line can give a mediocre QB plenty of time to find an open WR. A solid O-line can give even the slowest and flat footed WRs enough time to get open.

A solid D-line can stuff the opposing RB at the line of scrimmage, or get the penetration to break up the play before it even starts. A solid D-line can pressure the opposing QB into taking sacks and getting gun-shy when holding the ball, as well as forcing turnovers. A solid D-line gets to the opposing QB before the WRs can run their routes. A solid D-line can make up for a teams' poor secondary.

Gets your O-line right (like Dallas) and get your D-line right (like LA) and focus on the rest afterward.

[lukkynumber13]

I understand the importance of qb, but I do not think it is the single most important position. If Rodgers, Brees, or Brady played for 49ers or Browns, how many games do you think they would improve said team? I know it is college, but Alabama has won multiple championships without a starting NFL qb (even though I think McCarron will start for someone eventually). My list would be:

1. Pass Rusher
2. Center
3. OT
4. QB
5. MLB (look what Luke did for Carolina)
6. CB
7. DT
8. WR (qb needs someone to catch balls)
9. DE
10. FS/SS
11. RB (if you build the line correctly, anyone in nfl can run)

I appreciate the thoughtfulness here. Definitely some good points! I respectfully disagree on QB versus other positions however, and here's why: how many above-average QBs are consistently playing on terrible teams? Andrew Luck is the closest thing, but even the Colts are average at worst, and at their best they can ball with anyone (other than the Pats). As opposed to the Rams, who are stacked with stud defenders, or Dallas last year with that O-line.
Yes, we do see mediocre QBs on great teams occasionally, but they are surrounded by talent. Denver isn't a contender just because of Von Miller, they also have 2 pro-bowl WRs and the best secondary in the NFL

[ninotoreS]

Linemen (I rate O and D equally important),
QB,
linebackers,
perimeter cornerbacks,
WRs,
safeties,
elite special-teams gunners/returners/punters (a 3-way tie; consistent field-position advantage is way more important than fans seem to appreciate),
elite kickers,
RBs,
TE/H-back,
slot cornerbacks
the collective blocking/coverage unit on special-teams,
FBs. (used to be a lot more important, but this position is slowly going extinct)