The Ravens, Chiefs, 49ers, and Lions offer valuable insights into modern-day team building in the NFL as they approach the conference championship Sunday. The core lessons revolve around obtaining and retaining draft picks, being assertive with trades, and consistently investing in the offensive line.

By the Numbers
  • The Chiefs and Lions have averaged 7.66 draft picks in the past three years.
  • The Ravens averaged 8.33 picks, while the 49ers had 8.66 selections over the same period.
State of Play
  • Teams are prioritizing acquiring and retaining draft picks as a strategy for building young, inexpensive talent while allocating major funds to veteran stars.
  • Emphasizing the importance of offensive lines to support a functional offense.
  • Highlighted examples of assertive trades and strategic draft decisions by the teams.
Bottom Line

The strategies employed by the Ravens, Chiefs, 49ers, and Lions underscore the significance of draft pick accumulation, assertive trade moves, and consistent investment in the offensive line as key elements in modern-day NFL team building.