Impact of NFL Draft on next NFL season

NFL draft sets the stage for the next NFL season. NFL draft predictions are useful in previewing the different paths teams are interested in following.  NFL draft day can have huge and immediate implications for NFL teams, and there are countless instances of teams using the NFL draft to propel them forward almost instantly.  However, it also must be acknowledged that, in many other cases, the gains from an NFL draft are only realized after several seasons.

The NFL draft is extremely popular with NFL fans and during the weeks preceding the NFL draft one cannot avoid reading the innumerable NFL draft predictions that dominate the sports news.  These NFL draft predictions are often far from accurate, but the NFL draft predictions do at least offer useful insights about the needs of each team as an upcoming season approaches.  Once the real NFL draft finally occurs, we are able to see how each team has addressed its different needs and one can begin to see how the upcoming season will play out.

The NFL draft is so important, in part, because each team’s acquisitions can have immediate impacts.  For example, if one looks to the 2007 NFL season, there are numerous examples of teams whose success resulted from a successful NFL draft.  For instance, the Vikings finished the 2007 season with a surprising 8-8 record and nearly made the playoffs; despite the fact that many analysts figured they would be one of the worst teams in the league.  One obvious reason for this success was running back Adrian Peterson, who earned Rookie of the Year honours after being picked up by Minnesota in the NFL draft.

Nevertheless, there are similarly many instances of players picked up in the NFL draft that eventually become future stars, but not in their rookie seasons.  In fact, such is the case most often with quarterbacks, who need more time than players from any other position to adapt to the demands of the NFL.  For example, quarterbacks like Vince Young, Jay Cutler, Matt Leinart, JaMarcus Russell, and Brady Quinn are all still trying to establish themselves in the NFL, despite being picked very high in the NFL draft.  In other words, NFL fans must understand that a quality NFL draft pick may take years to develop and pay dividends.  The NFL draft sometimes does provide immediate gains, but some NFL draft picks must simply be considered investments for the future.