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NFL Draft: Your Comprehensive Guide | LeoVegas Blog

The Ultimate Guide to the NFL Draft: Everything You Need to Know

Table of Content:

Introduction

Drafts are almost exclusive to American sports, but it's something that European sports could learn from. The whole purpose of a draft is to ensure that balance is at the forefront of the big leagues and that no one team monopolizes an entire league.

As we have witnessed in Europe, teams in the English Premier League succeed more frequently when they have large amounts of cash to spend, and they hoover up the best talent because they can pay the most considerable wages. However, American sports such as the NBA and the NFL focus on maintaining healthy competition, financial viability, and a balance within the quality of each team, which is paramount to the league's success.

The first draft took place nearly 90 years ago, and the theme and purpose of the draft have remained the same ever since. Bert Bell, co-owner of the Eagles at the time, suggested the draft as a way to balance out the disparity in the league and to counteract the fact that his team had a lot more money at their disposal than other franchises. It's a move you would never see today in certain sports, but this spoke to Bell's character and quest to cultivate a league where balance and quality were abundant.

Ultimately, the best way to remember how the draft works is that it works in reverse order based on the team's position from the previous season's final standings. The league's worst-performing team gets the first draft pick of the most promising college pick and it works its way up the league position in reverse order; the whole event takes place over three days, and while there's a lot more that happens over the three days, this is the basic, essential key to how it works.

Pre-Draft Analysis

Several variables are weighed when ranking draft picks and players. Firstly, the Scouting Combine is an annual event where potential superstars are put through a series of tests to determine their agility, stamina, speed, and athleticism. The Scouting Combine also incorporates interviews so teams can ask the athletic prospects questions, to see how they respond to specific tasks and challenges.

The rankings are a carefully balanced and fine-tuned orchestra that consists of many skill and statistic-based tests. One such process is liaising with the player’s college to gain insights into skill sets and the opportunity to evaluate the mentality of the young budding superstar.

The NCAA Compliance Department ensures the accuracy of all information before compiling a list of top prospects. It's not something that always goes according to plan, nor is it an exact science by any means. Some of the best players of all time were not first draft picks and plenty of first draft picks faded away quickly in mediocre careers.

Another critical element of pre-draft analysis is Mock Drafts. Usually, ex-professionals and prominent names within the NFL teams world will spend days racking their brains and compiling a list of how they think the draft will pan out. They prepare for many eventualities, and it is a significant event on the pre-season calendar.

So many fans look forward to the Mock Draft because it gives them insight into how the draft could pan out and what teams players could potentially end up with. Some ex-professionals and analysts are better than others when it comes to guessing the mock draft. Still, there's always an element of surprise with some draft picks, and there are usually a couple of plot twists and unexpected turns.

Draft Day Preparation

On the day of the NFL draft, the selection order is determined by the team with the lowest performance from the previous season and grants them first pick. The order of selections then proceeds in reverse order up the league, as we discussed earlier. Ultimately, this ensures a balance in the league with the Super Bowl winners from last season as the 32nd and final draft pick.

Different franchises prepare for the draft in several different ways. Identifying the team needs of each squad is a reliable way to establish who they might select. This is often a key component in the Mock Draft, and while it may sound like it has more caveats, it ultimately looks at the team’s needs and which positions need coverage.

Part of what makes the NFL Draft so captivating is that just because a player is the number one potential pick doesn't mean the team with the opportunity will select him. They might require a solid prospect in a different position and aim for the second or third-ranked player, despite having a higher draft pick; this puts the onus on the next team and could alter their decision.

Franchises also can swap higher draft picks with other teams in the league to try and manoeuvre themselves into a more favourable position, but this requires negotiation and is specific to the requirements of both teams.

The Draft Process

If there are no trades between franchises, it follows the reverse order we have referred to several times. The teams that didn't manage to make the playoffs the year before are assigned draft positions between one through twenty.

More often than not, the three highest-ranked draft players are the three first picks, but not necessarily in numerical order. As we have established, each team's needs often take precedence, and it's not just simply a case of picking the best player available; there needs to be more to the selection to ensure that the best choice is made.

After the first round concludes on Thursday, the following rounds have a slightly different format. In round two, draft teams are given seven minutes to make their draft selection, which then dwindles to five minutes for standard and compensatory picks in rounds three to six.

Compensatory picks are provided to the teams based on how much they lost through free agency. A team must make a pick within the time constraints to avoid losing their optimal choice to the next team that selects after them, so it must be a careful selection process but also fine-tuned, efficient, and clinical.

Draft Trades are another crucial component that needs factoring in. If executed correctly, they can result in a net benefit for the team that manages their draft trade most efficiently. It's vital to point out here that a player can only sign with the franchise that originally drafted him, and these players are excluded from any potential trades.

However, teams will use this to their advantage to try and construct a tactical edge, especially where the quid pro quo involves each team filling positions where they are most thin.

Each franchise can benefit from the arrangement when applied correctly. With so many factors weighed in the draft process, it's clear why it is so exciting for fans, analysts, and the players involved.

Draft Strategy

With so many variables to consider, the draft selection can create quite a headache for the franchises involved. They want to ensure they're bringing in not just the best quality, but the best players who fit the ethos of the squad.

While it can be tempting to pick the next superstar, especially if they're the best player available, drafting for need is also vital. It is more important than selecting the best player in many ways. For example, if the number one ranked college player in that year's NFL draft is a quarterback, but the team with the first pick desperately needs a wide receiver, and if the second-ranked player is the top-rated wide receiver, they'll likely go for that player instead. Therefore, several components must be considered, which is why the Mock Draft discussion can be interesting.

It's also critical that the team in question uses their draft pick to do what is best for the squad in the long run. If a key player is set to retire or another one of their star players is out of contract the following summer, these are vital considerations that could influence the decision.

Broadly speaking, the most advantageous position in the draft is the quarterback. As this is the most prominent position on the pitch, they are the players who often see the most significant action, demand the highest salaries, and are usually provided with considerable contacts.

There are dozens of examples littered throughout the NFL of players who have commanded bumper salaries, won Super Bowls through their own performance, and could become colossal crossover names. Top QBs often bring their team to global fame, generating media attention and international sales, so it's relatively straightforward why they're so revered, highly rated, and command some of the top draft picks.

Draft Analysis

With over 250 selections made in this year's draft, there's a lot of information to sift through to see who had the best and worst drafts on paper. Once the season begins and we start to see these players in action, maybe these lists could see some rather significant and embarrassing revisions. However, based solely on the action we witnessed in the last week of April, let's look at how it all plays out on paper.

It's difficult to say which players will be the biggest steal, as this is often determined throughout their first few campaigns in the NFL. Sometimes it can be too early to say, especially a few months after the draft. However, one player that could prove to be the best steal of the 2023 NFL draft is Andrew Vorhees, who the Baltimore Ravens picked up.

The Offensive Guard has mountains of talent, but it feels like this was underplayed during this year's selection, hence his seventh-round pick. However, this was mainly due to his debilitating knee injury during his Scouting Combine workout. One of the main criticisms of the pre-draft ritual that many people have voiced over the years, is the brutal regimen these precocious talents are subjected to. In Vorhees's case, it clearly worked against him in the short term. Now that he can rehabilitate his knee on the East Coast, he could prove to be the big steal, given how low down he was eventually picked. This could be an excellent selection for the Ravens if he can avoid further injury.

It's hard to look past the Eagles if you're discussing the team who will be happiest with the draft, from Jalen Carter, Sydney Brown, and Nolan Smith. If they're able to keep Carter on a good path and keep him out of any issues off the pitch, the Eagles could look at this draft as a seminal moment.

We'd say the Vikings got the short straw this year, and many analysts agree. However, these opinions can change quickly once the season begins and these draft picks need to get out on the pitch and perform on the biggest stage.

Post-Draft Analysis

Unsurprisingly, the experts picked the Eagles' draft picks with an A grade, and it's tough to disagree with that rating. They're the only team this year who received top grades for their activity in this year's draft, and it will fill them with confidence going into the new season. They'll be hoping to use this momentum to hit the ground running and explains why they're currently second favourites for next year's Super Bowl, sitting just behind Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs had a reasonably uneventful draft, which is to be expected. Considering they're the Super Bowl champions, they didn't have the worst draft either. Analysts graded them a C, which puts them in the lower third, but still favourites for Super Bowl 2024 because of their hugely talented squad and key figures such as Patrick Mahomes.

The Colts, Seahawks, and Houston Texans all came in at a respectable A-ranking, and some analysts have suggested that, in the grand scheme of things, one of these teams might have had the best draft. As we move down the list, we have the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears all graded at B+. While this isn't the most outstanding ranking, all of these teams should be happy with the squads they've acquired post-draft, and they'll all be quietly confident of making a decent playoff run next season.

A level beneath these four teams, we have the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, and the New York Giants, with relatively average draft outcomes. For some of these teams, this will signal the strength and depth of their current roster. However, for some, it will signal a poor draft. If their seasons get off to a poor start, many will rue some of the lost opportunities that the draft presented them.

On paper, a B-grade for the Baltimore Ravens isn't going to fill their fans with hope, however, given that Lamar Jackson signed a bumper five-year deal before the draft, the edge was off for the Ravens to pull the rabbit out of the hat in the draft. So while their draft might not have been anything to get too excited about, Ravens fans shouldn't be too disheartened once they zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

The Ravens found themselves on the same grading level as the Bengals, the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns, and the Las Vegas Raiders. Some experts and analysts have stated that some of these teams have had a better draft than their grading might suggest. Once the season is underway, we can determine which team performed most underwhelmingly in the draft.

As we move into the C-grade region, the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, NY Jets, and New Orleans Saints will unanimously agree that their drafts don't hold a candle to some of their previous years. Still, just because a team has a poor draft, doesn't mean they're disheartened or their season will reflect their low draft grading.

It is all relative, as many teams have shown in the past. You can have a poor draft grade at C+ or sometimes lower but maintain the nucleus of an excellent squad and compete with the best teams in the NFL.

The Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, 49ers, Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars encompass the rest of the lowly grade teams, and we don't think any would argue with their gradings.

A rookie is any player competing in their debut season in the big leagues. They're offered rookie contracts that work in a relatively straightforward fashion. It is a blanket contract that all first-round picks are offered consisting of a four-year deal, and if they have shown their worth to the franchise and wish to retain their services, contract extension negotiations will begin after the third year.

Of all the picks in the NFL draft this year, the top ones to look out for are Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jalen Carter, and Bryce Young. However, there'll always be a surprise from the draft pick. Famously, Tom Brady was the 199th draft pick and went on to become the greatest quarterback that has ever graced the NFL.

NFL Draft FAQs

What is the NFL Draft?

If we condense this to a couple of sentences, the NFL draft is a mitigating tool that evenly balances out and stops any disparity between the best and worst squads within the NFL. Ensuring that the lowest ranked teams get the choice of the best new talents manages this risk effectively, and it has proven to work for decades.

What time does the NFL draft start?

The draft takes three days but starts at 7 pm Eastern Time. The subsequent rounds usually occur between 4 pm and 7 pm on the following days.

How does the draft process work?

As we have discussed, the process involves several components attempting to rank the players most efficiently. Teams then have the opportunity to draft their players based on their league positions at the end of the previous season.

How are draft picks determined?

Several variables determine draft picks, including college performance and various statistics, which depend wholly on the player's position.

What is the Scouting Combine?

A set of distinct physical and mental tests to determine which players are most well-adjusted and could potentially flourish in the NFL.

Who creates player rankings?

Many variables determine rankings; this includes the player's performance at college level, athleticism, and stats, marketability, and potential growth. It's not an exact science, and it's not always 100% accurate, but more often than not, the players are ranked in broadly the proper order. The NCAA compliance department is responsible for these figures.

How accurate are mock drafts?

Mock drafts can result in solid projections; while it is challenging to get them exactly right, some experts out there have a solid hit rate.

Why do teams trade draft picks?

Each team is in a different position, and sometimes it is more viable for a team with a solid squad to trade draft picks to shore up other positions. If a team has fewer players within their squad, they can trade draft picks in a bid to obtain quantity over quality, it all depends on the circumstances. There are dozens of specific examples, but this is the most common.

What is the difference between drafting for need and drafting the best player available?

While drafting the best player available might be more beneficial in the short-term, from a marketing perspective, if a team needs strength in a specific area they will often take the intelligent choice and draft for need instead of simply picking the best player.

Which positions are most valuable in the draft?

Quarterbacks often command the highest salary and notoriety. As the most well-known position in the game and with many quarterbacks crossing over into popular sports appeal, quarterbacks are the hardest position to find as free agents, so securing a solid option is a top priority.

How do experts grade each team's draft class?

Experts look at the quality each team has brought in, where they have strengthened, and whether it has provided the team with a more worthwhile overall outlook.

How many rounds in the NFL Draft?

Seven rounds take place during the three days.