NFL Draft 'Experts'

[Carl Spackler]

36 of 98 players that declared early for the 2014 draft, and gave up NCAA scholarship eligibility, were undrafted. A new record, on top 3 consecutive years of new records.

The trend over the past few years is that approx. 35-40% of underclassmen declared will NOT be drafted, and with a fixed number of picks every year, and new record numbers of underclassmen declaring every year, it's only going to increase. By 2015-2016, 50% or more of underclassmen foregoing scholarships and eligibility will not be drafted if the trend of the past few years since the most recent NFL CBA continues.

Players need to be very careful about where their info is coming from, and that they have the personal connections necessary to get the foot in the door, if they are going to give up their scholarship eligibility and diplomas to chase the dream. NFL is pure business, and college football players, don't know it, but they are actually very well taken care of in college, as compared to the NFL, where they are pure commodity.


http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/05/tracking_the_underclassmen_nfl.html

 

[06029]

I think it is fair to ask how many of those that opted out were actually willing to remain in school or were on the cusp of ineligibility with their school? Playing FB and going to class and maintaining eligibility is just not a reality for some kids by the time they reach early eligibility status. So some kids opt for the draft because of their dream and getting away from the demands of school. A couple of them will hook on as UFA's and couple might even make teams helping to fuel the next round of early entrants. Looking over the list, none of the undrafted names screams out at me as being a well known player but there are some well known schools on that list. We never have the full story on why they chose to declare and it might not just be bad guidance and information.

 

[Jerry1714]

The issue is these kids listen to agents, and their family and friends. These people only have their own interests in mind or have a very overvalued view of the player or know nothing about the league.

 

[Carl Spackler]

I think it is fair to ask how many of those that opted out were actually willing to remain in school or were on the cusp of ineligibility with their school? Playing FB and going to class and maintaining eligibility is just not a reality for some kids by the time they reach early eligibility status. So some kids opt for the draft because of their dream and getting away from the demands of school. A couple of them will hook on as UFA's and couple might even make teams helping to fuel the next round of early entrants. Looking over the list, none of the undrafted names screams out at me as being a well known player but there are some well known schools on that list. We never have the full story on why they chose to declare and it might not just be bad guidance and information.

The change in numbers of underclassmen (which I'm defining as players giving up NCAA scholarship eligibility having used only 3 or less years) is directly related to the changes in the rookie pay scale that was incorporated in the most recent NFL collective bargaining agreement with regards to draft position, and the escalation of salary structure that occurs given a certain amount of time accrued in the NFL. There is an entire internet and 'sport agent' industry that is loaded with bad information and hoping to play the percentages and make bucks, that has sprung up around it.

If you include players that have graduated, or for any other reason have gone at least 4 years, the numbers increase.

 

[Carl Spackler]

The thing about NFL roster spots, is that it is pure business and commodity trading and investing. It's the closest thing to legal human trafficking that there is. There is competition for spots from two directions - veterans wishing to continue to play, and rookies wishing to start playing. On the other side of the equation are the owners, who are looking to maximize performance on minimum investment.

It's not a good thing for the NFL, and the CBA needs to be revisited and changed, or they need to get serious about a developmental league.