Long-Term Impact
The draft has created many opportunities for people who want to be in professional sports but won't be able to make it to the league, including being a scout. Scouting has changed football in so many ways. Teams now have way more intel than they used to select different players. The biggest event is the combine, hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis since 2008, before that, it took place at the RCA Dome. This is where players from around the country get to show off their skills in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and players. This event is by invitation so only the best of the best will be invited to this event. Player's performance at the combine plays a big part in where they will land on draft night. The player's performance is based on several tests such as the bench press and the 40-yard dash.
Photo taken by Kevin Sabitus
Photo taken by Brian Spurlock showcasing Saquon Barkley
The NFL draft has created league balance as the worst teams get the first picks in the draft while the best teams get the last picks in the draft. If there was no draft, teams with the best offer to players would get that player resulting in the best teams getting better and the bad teams getting worse. The draft has stayed in the league to this day and has been the focal point of teams trying to get out of their rebuilding stage. This turning point was critical in organized sports. The draft is critical in todays era being the second largest day of income behind the Super Bowl. The draft is and will be a big part of the league, now and for years to come.