The Journey of NFL Draft Picks: Making It to Your Dream Team

When players join the National Football League (NFL) via the draft, expectations can run high. Many wonder: Do all drafted players eventually land with the team that drafted them? The answer is a resounding no. In this article, we explore the various paths a player might take after being drafted, including the impact of trades, cut and free agency, and unique cases that challenge the norm.

Trades and Dispersion

In the world of the NFL, it's not uncommon for a player to end up on a different team than the one that drafted them. Trades are a common occurrence during the NFL Draft window, and after the initial draft, teams can also opt to trade away their drafted later in the rounds, particularly those in the 5th, 6th, and 7th rounds, have even higher chances of moving to new teams. For instance, in the 7th round, the Bengals drafted a safety despite their already strong safety room. The odds of this player making the roster are slim unless he fills a specific need or an emergency arises.

Consider this: when a player is drafted in a round later than usual, a team may have already equipped their roster with sufficient depth in that position. Consequently, there's a higher probability that the drafted player might be released from the team as they work with others to find the best fit for their squad.

Releasing and Free Agency

Sometimes, a player drafted into the NFL is not what the team expected, or the player does not fit the team's needs as anticipated. In such cases, the player might be released from the team. Releasing players is a strategic move by teams to either reduce payroll or find new players better suited to their roster. Released players then become free agents, making them available for any team to sign.

A notable example is Taysom Hill, who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers but was placed on their practice squad. The Saints later signed him to their active roster, utilizing his versatile skills as a backup quarterback and on special teams. Teams often use their practice squads for similar purposes, keeping players who can contribute in various ways should the need arise.

Baseball: A Parallel Universe

In baseball, the journey to the Major Leagues can be longer and more convoluted. The draft for major league baseball consists of 616 rounds, and many players spend a year or more in the minor leagues before making the jump to the big leagues. This is a similar journey to rookie players in the NFL, where even highly drafted players may start in the practice squad or spend time in the minor leagues before becoming part of the active roster.

Additionally, baseball teams can trade players within their minor league system, just as NFL teams might trade players in the NFL Draft or during the regular season. This horizontal and vertical movement within the minor league system mirrors the movement of drafted players in the NFL, creating a dynamic environment where talent can flow between various teams.

Conclusion

The NFL Draft is a critical moment for both players and teams, marking the beginning of a long and sometimes unpredictable journey. While many players stick with the teams that drafted them, the reality is that some will go on to play for different teams through trades, cut, and free agency. These experiences are as integral to the NFL as they are to baseball, highlighting the fluid and dynamic nature of professional sports. Whether through the twists and turns of trades, the journey through minor leagues, or the strategic use of practice squads, the path to the professional football field is as varied and exciting as the players who take it.