Who would have thought that one of the most watched sporting events each year in America would be the NFL draft?
Each year around the middle of spring, owners and general managers assemble in their respective war rooms to dictate the future course of their football franchise. Over the years, the NFL draft has become a spectacle for fans around the country as the sport has continued its march towards trying to become America’s favorite pastime.
The 2016 Draft
On July 15, 2015, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the long-awaited announcement about the 2016 National Football League Draft. The draft will be held on the following dates.
- Thursday, April 28, 2016 – Round 1 (each team will have 10 minutes on the clock to make its selection)
- Friday, April 29, 2016 – Rounds 2 & 3 (each team will have 7 minutes on the clock to make its selection)
- Saturday, April 30, 2016 – Rounds 4 thru 7 (each team will have 5 minutes on the clock to make its selection in rounds 4-6 with 4 minutes on the clock for round 7 selections and compensatory picks).
While the scheduled location was originally listed as TBD, it was later announced that the 2016 NFL draft would again be held in Chicago, Illinois, for the second year in a row with the venue to be determined at a later date.
Traded Picks
As the draft approaches, some teams will be required to settle trades made in earlier years. In some cases, a team’s number one pick may be hanging in the balance.
At this point in time, there are a total of 27 picks in the 2016 draft that have been traded. While most of those trades involve picks in the last four rounds, there are two picks in the first three rounds that call for disclosure.
In round two, the St. Louis Rams own the rights to the Philadelphia Eagles’ pick as part of the Sam Bradford trade made in the off-season. In round three, the Philadelphia Eagles own the rights to the Detroit Lions’ pick as part of a 2015 trade where the Lions received the Eagles’ fourth round pick.
Leading Prospects
With the 2015 NCAA Football’s regular season underway, NFL scouts are busy tracking potential draft choices. While early projections are subject to change based on underclassmen who may or may not declare for the draft, current projections are starting to take shape.
With underclassmen in the mix, this year’s early rounds look heavy on defensive players with only a small handful of skilled offensive players currently considered to be first or second round picks. Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the top prospects who will be looking to fulfill their dreams of being a first round draft choice.
- DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State – At 6’6″ and 275 pounds, Bosa has both the size and speed to play anywhere on the defensive line.
- CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida – Shutdown corners that can cover a number one receiver are a valuable commodity in the NFL. This young man is fast and mentally tough, making him the best of his class.
- QB Cardale Jones, Ohio State – While short on experience and long on talent and potential, teams in need of a QB will be licking its chops hoping his four games from last year were more than a mirage.
- QB Jared Goff, California – Goff might well be the best pure passer in college football. While lots of college QB’s have the skills to play in the NFL, Goff is a student of the game and mentally ready for the transition as well.
This article was written by Tony Samboras. A big fan of the NFL, Tony is keenly waiting to see the results of this season’s games and is interested in how the 2016 draft will pan out. To see more of his writing take a look at simplythebetsus.com