by Nolan Toppin
OTSL Executive Producer
I have TWO sporting events that I look forward to every year.
1. NASCAR (aka Daytona 500)
2. The NFL DRAFT
I like to see who gets drafted by who; and I also get to do my best Mel Kiper Jr. impression to see if I can foresee what he sees. It reminds me of a line from the movie "Forrest Gump". "Life is like a box of chocolates, you NEVER know what you're gonna get".
Just like the draft, you hope to get a franchise player and not a bust. But I always wonder when teams make their selections, do you take the best player available or the best position player available? If you make the right selection, HALLELUJAH! Make the wrong decision, D'OH! The decision that teams make could affect
players careers as well as the future of the franchise.
This year we have Joe Burrow, QB from LSU, who most experts predict will be the #1 overall selection in the draft, and also listed as the second best player in the draft. We also have Chase Young, DE from OHIO STATE, who will probably go #2 overall. Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both have Young listed as the best player in the draft.
Then there's everyone else who declared for the draft. Whether you get taken in the Top 5; late in the First Round; or 199th overall; you hope to make an impression on the team that drafted you.
Some do, most don't. This just shows you how important making franchise-changing decisions can be. And why the NFL Draft is the ultimate crap shoot.
