When it comes to the NFL Draft, I’m always amazed at how it works. Everyone is so stoked, and there’s the sense that the future of teams is at stake. What makes the NFL draft a wild ride is that teams have to act fast and make the right decisions based on best-case scenarios.
It’s a high pressure atmosphere that starts with the order of the picks – they decide the draft slots, and determine which team has the opportunity to choose first. The order of selection is determined based on the teams’ records in the previous season. The worst team in the league goes first and so on, until the best team goes last.
That’s when the real fun begins: every team has a different strategy and vision for that season. Some may want to target a specific position, while others aim to build a core group of star players that can set them up for success. Some teams are not afraid of taking a gamble for a player who could develop into a superstar player.
After the team has been chosen, the draft continues with the second round and third round picks. In the second round, teams can select players that most likely will play as soon as that season. As for the third round, it follows the same pattern, but the stakes are much higher. What makes third round picks so important is that those players don’t often get a lot of money, yet they might be the missing piece that puts a team over the edge.
Finally, in the later rounds, teams can start looking at players who have outstanding talents and skills but often have had earlier childhood or college issues. Teams can choose to take the time to correct what needs to be addressed, or take a risk and hope that this player finally realizes their full potential.
The NFL Draft gives teams the opportunity to shape the future of their franchise, and that’s what makes it so exciting. There is so much that can go right and wrong, yet I can already feel the energy in the air for the upcoming season. Nothing beats the excitement of the draft and seeing what teams will do next.
Now, after the draft teams are able to start forming a good idea of what their team will look like and how it will play. The ever-changing landscape of the NFL means that teams must be willing to adapt and go after specific players that fit their offensive and defensive approaches. There’s no single formula for success, however teams must be careful about the moves they make and research the players they are targeting carefully.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, it’s usual to expect rumors about who’s going where, and plans for trades. During this time, some teams can end up having greater success than they expected by trading away some of their picks for a higher pick in the future. Other teams may choose to trade away a player for multiple picks. The possibilities are endless when it comes to charting the future of your team.
After the draft is complete, it’s time for all the teams to get to work and start the process of planning who is going to be their starting line-up. Teams will invite their drafted players to training camp to prove their worth, and will most likely draft some other players to fill out their roster.
Like I always say, the draft is essential to a team’s future, yet it will never really be a perfect system. However, teams and their fans can come out from the draft with great expectations. With the right plan in place, any team can build something special.