The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times of the year for both NFL fans and players alike. Every team is looking to bring in the best talent they can find, and if they aren’t, they are trying to get ahead of their rivals for the opportunity to sign the next great star. Every year the draft is different, with teams selecting prospects in seven rounds of picks. It’s an interesting process that often yields unexpected results.
I’ve had the chance to see first-hand the complexity of the NFL Draft, as I work with a team in the league. Let me tell you, it’s not an easy process. The teams are scouting and evaluating players for months leading up to the draft, as well as analyzing team needs and assessing the strategies of other teams. On draft day, the teams sit down and go round after round to decide who will be the newest addition.
A lot of people don’t realize that every round of the draft can have a big impact on a team’s future. Since teams tend to take the best available player, the first few rounds often yield the most impactful players. If teams pick correctly, they could have a star that will help shape their offense or defense for years to come. However, if they make the wrong selections or reach too hard for a player, it could cost them in the long run.
The second and third rounds are filled with diamond in the rough prospects, hidden stars that you can’t find easily. These are players that no one was expecting to hear their name called at the draft. Yet, when they do, these unheralded stars often turn into household names. These are the players that can help turn a franchise’s fortunes in a matter of months.
When the fourth round comes around, teams usually are focusing on stockpiling talent. Many teams will focus on special teams players or need positions, players that offer depth and can come in and contribute from day one. The team I work for is always looking for players who can show up and contribute right away, and they don’t hesitate to pull the trigger on those players.
By the fifth and sixth rounds, teams are looking at players who have the ability to be contributors or starters down the line. This is an important round, as there are often overlooked gems that can turn into contributors. Those players can often times turn into starters in a few years, providing much needed depth and production for that team.
Finally, with the seventh round, teams are usually just looking for potential. Every year hundreds of kids don’t hear their names called, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t have successful NFL careers. There are always players that come from the seventh round that can contribute right away or make an impact in a few years.
It’s an interesting process, and we are just getting started with the draft. Who knows who the teams will pick, and what kinds of superstars they will find? All I know is that the NFL Draft can often times yield unexpected results and can potentially shape a team’s future for years to come.