The potential perils of sitting in the “green room” and dropping like a rock in front of the entire world on television (or streaming online) for all to see have driven NFL prospects away from the NFL Draft.
And who could blame them? Sure, you’d love to be the next Aaron Rodgers, as far as Rodgers’ career goes, but no one wants to have the draft night Rodgers had (Aaron Rodgers NFL Draft ).
It happens almost every year. Remember Geno Smith? Brady Quinn? Hey, even Lamar Jackson? Doesn’t have to be a quarterback. What about Randy Moss (that turned out pretty good)? Warren Sapp? Here’s a look back at some of those (Top 10 Draft Slides!).
Nobody wants to become a cautionary tale, and especially not be SEEN becoming one.
So more and more, it seems top prospects are choosing to stay away from the on-site draft, and spend it with their family and friends, and get that call (even if it means a camera is set up there – apparently that’s different somehow. Insert your own eyeroll emoji here).
The league confirmed on Thursday 13 prospects that will be on hand for the draft in Detroit on April 25, but one would think this is a list of names that are sure-fire first-round picks.
One would think.
They’re Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams (expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bears), North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Malik Nabers and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner, offensive lineman J.C. Latham and cornerback Terrion Arnold, Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson, and Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
