Unsuccessful draft pick can be an exciting event with high hopes and lofty aspirations, yet many players fail to meet those hopes and realize their dreams. A recent study demonstrated that even powerhouse teams make several unsuccessful draft picks.
Misfires during draft picks can have serious repercussions for both teams and players, so it is crucial that you gain an understanding of why certain picks fail so that you can avoid similar mishaps in future drafts.
Injuries
Injurys occur frequently in the NFL, making it risky to draft players with preexisting injuries. When their career is cut short by an injury, leaving their drafting team disappointed and feeling they made the wrong choice.
Tim Couch was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in 1999. However, unlike Tim, who found a way to overcome injuries and struggles by finding success despite being draft picks. Unfortunately, most draftees fail to live up to the promise created during draft day; high-profile busts can damage team morale while decreasing ticket and retail sales while disillusioning fans who put trust in front office talent evaluation skills.
Teams trade future picks in order to move up in the draft and select players with potential, but many end up sitting out due to injuries. Unsuccessful draft picks can wreak havoc on a franchise’s finances and leave no high-round selections to replace them.
Lack of Fit
Lack of Fit The primary cause for players failing to live up to their draft slot is often lack of fit; some high draft picks never end up playing for their original team while others struggle to find their place in an NFL roster.
New York Jets selected defensive end Vernon Gholston of Ohio State with their sixth overall selection in 2008. Gholston impressed teams during pre-draft workouts but never made an impactful play for them and only played two seasons before being released from their roster.
As is evident with former Detroit Lions linebacker Jarvis Jones, who was selected 17th-overall in 2013, Jarvis Jones struggled to adapt to NFL play after arriving from USC; injuries severely limited his playing time in 2014. Jaguars pass rusher Derrick Harvey never lived up to expectations as an elite pass rusher; in three years only produced eight quarterback sacks!
Off-Field Issues
Even with meticulous scouting and analysis, teams may miss the mark with some players they draft – this holds true even among powerhouse franchises with impressive track records in this department.
Off-field issues of players can also impede their performances on the field, including legal troubles, substance abuse issues or simply behavior that runs counter to team culture.
Issues surrounding team culture and support systems can have serious repercussions for ticket sales, ultimately having an adverse effect on the finances over time. Therefore, it is vital for NFL teams to foster an environment in which all their players feel supported.
Unrealistic Expectations
Sports teams place immense pressure on high draft picks to perform, and when they fail to meet expectations it can be devastating for their squad.
Fans often struggle to accept that their team’s scouting process was inadequate, especially when another draft pick has since enjoyed greater success in his or her career than anticipated.
Teams may experience financial turmoil due to signing bonuses and contracts for underachieving draft picks, as they spend large sums of money in signing bonuses and contracts, erode trust in player evaluation processes, damage morale and team spirit and negatively affect future decision-making processes. A string of unsuccessful draft picks can have lasting repercussions – although there are examples of athletes overcoming unsuccessful draft picks to go on and have amazing careers; therefore it’s important to take note of such stories while being mindful that many factors outside a prospect’s control that could contribute to their downfall.
