@RBT618,
I certainly don’t want to contradict what has been stated so far, but since you are open to thoughts from anyone, I’d like to offer my humble opinion of the CAGED system.
The system that is known today as CAGED is really an intrinsic part of the standard guitar tuning. Understanding the chord-scale-arpeggio relationships from the CAGED perspective is really the basis for mastering the fretboard. It’s not a difficult concept to grasp and it gives you the big picture a beginner may not see for a long time.
Frankly, I would introduce CAGED conceptually as early as the open chords are taught, to show how the entire fretboard can be methodically deciphered in terms of the three basic elements: chords, scales and arpeggios. As each element of the puzzle is learned, having the big picture in mind helps put them back together again. CAGED is the standard way of breaking down the fretboard into manageable pieces.
Some say CAGED sucks. Tom Hess is probably the biggest opponent of it. I think it’s a gross exaggeration. The 3-Notes-Per-String system he touts as being superior is advantageous in terms of economy picking and playing horizontally, but not so much when playing in position which allows for the best voice leading possible.
Although the 3-Notes-Per-String method allows for 7 patterns and CAGED only 5, additional patterns can be derived. The Extended CAGED system as taught by Richie Zellon is basically the standard CAGED system with two more patterns to cover a whole 7-note scale. The fingering method employed results in consistency when playing both a scale and the arpeggio derived from it. Richie's heptatonic system of fingerings is the most versatile method I’ve come across so far. It allows for playing both vertically (in position) and horizontally (along the fretboard) using composite fingerings.
Bottom line: There’s no single method that works perfectly in every situation. Therefore, the more shapes, patterns, and fingerings you’re familiar with, the more playing freedom you will have.