Who’s picking is more important than who gets picked
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By DERON SNYDER (as published in The Washington Times)
The NFL draft isn’t art, science, or luck, though all three elements play a part.
There’s no foolproof method for 32 teams to divvy up college football players. Teams even disagree that concentrating solely on their sport is prudent; the Philadelphia Eagles drafted an Australian native who stands 6-foot-8, weighs 346 pounds, and has never played a down of football.
“It’s a fun sport,” 20-year-old rugby star Jordan Mailata said in an NFL Network interview. “Why not give it a try? It’s been an absolute brainstorm of an experience.”
The Eagles’ brain trust thought enough of the prospect to move up 17 spots to grab him, albeit in the seventh round with the 233rd pick. Mailata, who spent several months learning football and blocking techniques at a Florida training facility, is considered an offensive tackle momentarily.
Having constructed a roster that won the last Super Bowl, Philadelphia’s front office can live off its reputation for a couple of seasons. The Eagles could bring home a ‘D’ on their draft report card and no one would care. (Speaking of report cards, they might be the only exercise more useless than mock drafts; there should be a three-year moratorium before grades are assigned).
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