Best Draft Picks by Position: Which Positions Should You Draft First?

Every draft forces the same question: which position should you prioritize? You are sitting at pick 6, and there is a franchise quarterback, an elite edge rusher, and a shutdown cornerback all available. Which one do you take?

The answer is not always the same, but there are clear principles that guide the decision. Some positions have dramatically more impact on winning than others, and understanding positional value is one of the most important skills you can develop as a football GM. This guide breaks down every position tier and explains exactly why some positions deserve early picks and others do not.

Tier 1: Quarterback

Quarterback is in a tier by itself. No other position comes close to the impact a great QB has on your team's chances of winning.

In BS Football, quarterback performance influences every offensive drive. A high-rated QB elevates the entire offense — he makes average receivers look good, he extends drives with third-down conversions, and he gives you a chance to win games where your defense struggles. A below-average QB does the opposite. He turns winnable games into losses, he wastes the talent around him, and he puts a ceiling on your roster that no amount of defensive talent can overcome.

The rule is simple: if you do not have a franchise QB and one is available, take him. Do not get clever. Do not talk yourself into an edge rusher because your offensive line is bad. Fix the quarterback position first, then build around him. The only exception is if you are deep in a rebuild and a QB-needy team is willing to trade a king's ransom for the pick.

Tier 2: Edge Rusher and Cornerback

After quarterback, pass rushers and corners are the most impactful positions on the field.

Edge Rusher

A great edge rusher is a cheat code for your defense. In BS Football's simulation engine, pass rush directly impacts the opposing quarterback's effectiveness. When your edge rusher is winning his matchup, the opposing QB has less time, makes worse decisions, and is more likely to turn the ball over. One elite edge rusher can make your entire defense better — he does not just get sacks, he creates pressure that makes every other defender's job easier.

Edge rushers are also among the hardest positions to find in the middle rounds. The gap between an elite pass rusher and an average one is enormous, and elite talent at this position almost always goes in the first round. If a top edge prospect is available and you do not have an immediate need at QB, this is often the correct pick.

Cornerback

Cornerback is the defensive mirror of quarterback — one great corner can neutralize an entire side of the field. In BS Football, a high-rated CB reduces the effectiveness of opposing passing attacks, which means fewer completions, fewer yards, and fewer points. A weak cornerback, on the other hand, gets exploited repeatedly and turns your defense into a liability.

The challenge with cornerbacks is that they take time to develop. Many CB prospects have high ceilings but low floors, and first-year corners often struggle. But the investment pays off — once a corner develops, he provides elite value at a premium position for years.

Tier 3: Offensive Tackle and Wide Receiver

Offensive Tackle

Your left tackle protects your quarterback's blind side. A great tackle gives your QB time to throw, which makes your entire passing game more effective. A bad tackle gets your QB hit, which leads to hurried throws, interceptions, and injuries. Offensive tackles are not glamorous, but they are foundational. You do not win without them.

The good news is that offensive tackle is a position where you can find starters in round 2 or 3 more consistently than you can find edge rushers or corners. The talent pool is deeper, which means you can often wait a round and still get a quality player. Draft a tackle in the top 15 if one is elite; otherwise, target the position in round 2.

Wide Receiver

Receivers are the most exciting picks in any draft, but they are also the most volatile. A great receiver transforms your passing attack and gives your QB a reliable target. But receiver production is heavily dependent on quarterback play — even the best receiver cannot produce if the QB cannot get him the ball.

Draft receivers in the first two rounds if you already have a QB. If you do not have a QB, a great receiver pick is wasted until you fix the most important position on the field. Receivers also have a deeper talent pool than most premium positions — you can find productive starters in rounds 2–4 with good scouting.

Tier 4: Linebacker, Safety, Running Back, and Tight End

Linebacker

Linebackers are versatile defenders who contribute in run defense, pass coverage, and sometimes as blitzers. They are valuable, but the positional impact is lower than edge rushers or corners. A good linebacker makes your defense better; a great linebacker does not transform it the way a great edge rusher does. Target linebackers in rounds 2–4.

Safety

Safeties are the quarterbacks of the defense — they read formations, make calls, and clean up mistakes. A great safety makes everyone around him better. But the position is easier to fill in the middle rounds than the Tier 2 positions. Draft safeties when the value is right, not because you feel pressure to address the position early.

Running Back

Running back is the most devalued position in modern football, both real and simulated. The shelf life of a running back is shorter than any other position, and the production difference between a first-round RB and a third-round RB is smaller than at any other position. Do not draft a running back in the first round unless he is a generational talent. You can find serviceable running backs throughout the draft.

Tight End

Tight ends are hybrid players who block and catch. The best tight ends are matchup nightmares, but the position is hard to project in the draft. Many tight end prospects take 2–3 years to develop, and the immediate impact of a rookie tight end is usually modest. Target tight ends in rounds 2–4 and be patient with their development.

Tier 5: Interior Offensive Line, Kicker, and Punter

Guards and centers are important, but the talent gap between a first-round guard and a third-round guard is small. You can build a solid interior line without spending premium picks. Draft interior linemen in rounds 3–5.

Kickers and punters should almost never be drafted before round 6. Yes, a great kicker wins you a few games per season with clutch field goals. But the opportunity cost of drafting a kicker in round 3 — when you could have taken a starting linebacker or safety — is too high. Find your kicker late or in free agency.

The BPA vs. Need Debate

The eternal question: do you take the best player available (BPA) or draft for team needs?

The answer is BPA with guardrails. In general, you should take the most talented player on your board regardless of position. Talent wins in football, and a great player at a position of lesser need is better than a mediocre player at a position of great need. You can always trade a talented player, move players around, or find need-fillers in free agency.

The guardrails are: do not take a kicker over an edge rusher because the kicker grades higher on your board. Use common sense. If two players are close in grade, lean toward the one who fills a need. But if there is a clear talent gap, take the better player every time.

How This Applies in BS Football

BS Football's simulation engine reflects these positional values. High-rated quarterbacks have an outsized impact on team performance. Elite edge rushers and corners improve your defense more than elite linebackers or safeties. And running backs provide diminishing returns relative to their draft cost.

When you are building your draft board, keep these tiers in mind. Draft quarterbacks when you need them, prioritize pass rushers and corners in the first two rounds, find your offensive line and skill positions in the middle rounds, and save the late rounds for depth and specialists.

Ready to put positional value theory into practice? Start a new league in BS Football and see if drafting by tier produces better results than drafting by need.