The NFL Draft season is upon us, and for many fans, it cannot come soon enough. However, the months leading up to the draft are often filled with endless speculation, evaluation, and narratives that seem to be conjured out of thin air. From wondering about what the Bears will do with Justin Fields to questioning why elite athletes are opting out of the Combine, the draft season can feel like a never-ending cycle of rumors and predictions.
Do we really need almost three months of draft prep after the Super Bowl? The college football season is over for most prospects by January 1st, and their entire college careers are readily available in digital form, so why prolong the process? In this age of immediacy, NFL free agents have already made their decisions, while draft picks are still being debated and analyzed.
Patience is often touted as a virtue, but in this case, it may just be another word for inconvenience. Evaluating players based on their game footage should be the primary focus, as cutting and splicing highlights can be done relatively quickly. Take Nate Wiggins, for example, who ran a blazing 40-yard dash at the Combine but then got injured. Despite this setback, his game tape should speak volumes about his abilities as a player.
With the rise of COVID-era eligibility rules and players like Caleb Williams starting multiple seasons in college, there is a wealth of information available for scouts to analyze. Off-field issues can easily be researched online, and NFL franchises have various ways to gather more information about potential draft picks.
While measurables like speed and agility are important, they should not be the sole focus of the evaluation process. Instincts, technique, and other traits are often better observed in game situations rather than in drills. Fabian Washington’s story serves as a cautionary tale of a player who was drafted based on his impressive Combine performance but failed to live up to expectations in the NFL.
Players skipping the Combine can be seen as a positive development, as it cuts through the noise and gets straight to the point. Fans and players alike are eager for results, draft picks, trades, and action, rather than endless speculation and draft takes. As we count down to the NFL Draft, let’s hope that the focus shifts from conjecture to actual results on the field.
