Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 7:56:48 GMT -6
So I stumbled across this article and thought it was worth sharing:
defector.com/this-could-be-the-thinnest-nfl-draft-in-living-memory/
defector.com/this-could-be-the-thinnest-nfl-draft-in-living-memory/
With the NCAA granting athletes an extra year of eligibility after a COVID-warped season, a large number of players are returning to school, and the pool of prospects attempting to go pro is significantly smaller than in standard years.
There are a few different ways to measure the number of NFL prospects in a year, but perhaps the most telling is to look at the number of players who have signed a standard representation agreement with an NFL agent. Signing an SRA doesn’t guarantee the player is going to be drafted or even signed as an undrafted free agent, but it is proof that someone thinks they have a shot.
By mid-April of 2019, 1,972 players had signed an SRA. By mid-April of 2020, 1,839 players had signed.
This year, as of April 7, that number was only 657.
“There are going to be some absolute slaps drafted this year,” one scout told me. “‘Slaps’ as in rejects.”
There are a few different ways to measure the number of NFL prospects in a year, but perhaps the most telling is to look at the number of players who have signed a standard representation agreement with an NFL agent. Signing an SRA doesn’t guarantee the player is going to be drafted or even signed as an undrafted free agent, but it is proof that someone thinks they have a shot.
By mid-April of 2019, 1,972 players had signed an SRA. By mid-April of 2020, 1,839 players had signed.
This year, as of April 7, that number was only 657.
“There are going to be some absolute slaps drafted this year,” one scout told me. “‘Slaps’ as in rejects.”
“You are going to see some PFAs [priority free agents, or the top tier of undrafted prospects] going in round 6 and 7 this year,” said NFL agent Christian Kranz, of Generation Sports Group. “Next year there are going to be 2000 or more kids in the draft, so guys who would go in 6 and 7 [this year] are going to be low-money camp bodies [next year] because the talent is going to be so rich.”
“The draft is weak after the third round or fourth round,” the personnel exec said. “If you’re a team with a bunch of extra late-round picks, you probably need to sell a few picks for next year picks.” Of course, that strategy is dependent on finding a buyer.
“The draft is weak after the third round or fourth round,” the personnel exec said. “If you’re a team with a bunch of extra late-round picks, you probably need to sell a few picks for next year picks.” Of course, that strategy is dependent on finding a buyer.
Inside The League, a consulting service for the football industry, tracks every prospect that signs with an agent. Per ITL’s signings grid, five prospects who were invited to the Senior Bowl (meaning they had fulfilled graduation requirements) decided to return for an extra collegiate season, and one player who was invited to the NFL scouting combine, Nicholls State receiver Dai’Jean Dixon, decided to return for a fifth season. According to ITL’s data, 24 players who signed with an agent and received an all-star game invite decided to return to school.
“That is lunacy, that is idiocy,” said Neil Stratton, owner of Inside the League. “Setting aside the injury concerns, if you go out and have anything less of a season than you had last year, you are going to be downgraded. If you go out and you have a lousy season, you are going to be a forgotten man. This year, if you got a combine invite and/or a Senior Bowl invite, you are stamped as a legitimate prospect.”
“If you are part of this draft class, you have a much better chance of at least making it to camp,” Stratton told me. “Not necessarily making a roster, but, the numbers are on your side because it is just so much smaller.”
“That is lunacy, that is idiocy,” said Neil Stratton, owner of Inside the League. “Setting aside the injury concerns, if you go out and have anything less of a season than you had last year, you are going to be downgraded. If you go out and you have a lousy season, you are going to be a forgotten man. This year, if you got a combine invite and/or a Senior Bowl invite, you are stamped as a legitimate prospect.”
“If you are part of this draft class, you have a much better chance of at least making it to camp,” Stratton told me. “Not necessarily making a roster, but, the numbers are on your side because it is just so much smaller.”
4 in the 3rd round. 5 of top 100 players in the country this draft. Lucky for Ricky he had all those extra picks. 
4 in the 3rd round. 5 of top 100 players in the country this draft. Lucky for Ricky he had all those extra picks. 
... and neither is this Chris guy.