Each NFL team runs between 60 and 70 offensive plays a game. Another 10-15 special plays. Multiply that by 18 players a play ( 9 offensive, 9 defensive). Vary that by unique situations – injuries, how far behind a team is, the audibles a quarterback calls which affect availability of players for next few plays. Multiply that by 16 games a season, 4 in pre-season. Players retire, contracts end – the talent management challenge is constant and complex.
The annual NFL draft (which ended last night) is a major source of new talent for teams. The data they have on each player is impressive. 4 years of college stats. Many more – 40 yard dash, bench press, vertical leap – from the annual NFL Combine (like in graph below)
The NFL draft was designed to bring “parity” to the league so the weakest teams get the early picks. But there are all kinds of trades. So, you end up with an unequal scenario this year where “of the 254 picks, the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers each made 11, tied for the most by any team. Those three franchises all reached the Divisional Playoffs in 2012.”
And you thought Geno Smith’s ill advised tweets or Manti Te’o’s imaginary girl friend affected their draft chances? Maybe – but likely very small factors compared to the mountain of data the teams crunched through in making their choices.
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