NIL Era: Redefining NFL Draft Evaluations

For the NFL, it's March 18. Here's what's happening.

The NIL era has totally reshaped how NFL teams evaluate draft prospects.

Five years ago, a Supreme Court ruling let college athletes earn money from endorsements

in name, image, and likeness deals. Now, many top players enter the draft with hundreds of

thousands or even millions already in the bank, making that first signing bonus less of a game

changer. This shift means fewer early entries into the draft. Team leaders say about 25

potential top 100 picks chose to stay in school for more cash and development. Scouts have ditched

old questions about bonus plans and now probe deeper, like asking if these guys would play football

for free, or if they transferred schools just to chase bigger deals. Reactions from coaches and

executives are mixed. Some worry prospects seem more entitled, skipping combined drills or

bowl games to avoid injury, treating the process like savvy businessmen. Others see it as a plus

since these players already know how to handle money and show up more prepared. General managers

like those from the Giants, Patriots, Raiders, and Bears adapt by digging into backgrounds and

interviews. They value game tape and scout reports most, using NIL experiences to spot who truly

love the game and learns from mistakes, like poor money choices. Early on, one time is where it is

and basic ends of first time. Overall, it's a double-edged sword, but teens believe it reveals

character better. Prospects might lack the old desperation, yet they stay hungry in their own way,

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