The NFL draft isn't the only aspect of franchise-building, but it's perhaps the most vital. Teams often put themselves over the top with the right free-agent signings, but roster foundations—like franchise quarterbacks—are added on draft weekend.
Top-tier teams don't nail every draft. However, the league's perennial bottom-dwellers are usually the same teams who screw up early picks and strategies.
While it is important to hit the occasional home run in the draft, it's more important to not make big mistakes. A team can get a ton of value by selecting a seven-year starter in the first round, even if he's never a Pro Bowler.