Short of controlling all of the teams during the first round so they pick better, I don't think there's anything you can do. If you want a good franchise something you can do is set all the teams to user controlled and then change the options to let the assistant coach make signings and stuff, and only play the games of one team...then when the draft comes around you can pick for each team based on need and whatnot. This will also tone down crazy signings, trades, and releases. Sorry I don't know a better way.