NFL Draft 2011: 11 Ways the NFL Can Improve the Draft

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on as he stands on stage during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

The 2011 NFL draft is still a ways away, but it has been a huge topic of conversation as the regular season has wrapped up.

Last year, the NFL estimated that over 22 million people watched the draft at some point.

But I think 22 million people isn't quite enough; the NFL obviously needs more.

Here are 11 genius ways to improve the draft and increase the amount of viewers.

11. Caller I.D.

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I want to know if the guy ESPN is showing on the phone is about to get drafted.

Is it a general manager calling him, or his mother?

Caller I.D. would solve this problem and give us a hint as to whether the player ESPN has found on the phone is actually about to get drafted.

10. Let the Players Choose Their Team

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

OK, so it'll never happen, but it would be awesome!

I'm not sure how fair it would be; however, it works in college football.

The players would take a lot less time to decide than the teams do. They could work out some kind of system to decide who would pick when and what teams they could choose from.

I can't think of a good way to make it work. Regardless, I'd watch it.

9. Less Roger Goodell

NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 08: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell plays on the field during the NFL�s Play 60 campaign to fight childhood obesity at Brock Elementary School September 8, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Obama joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodel

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like Roger Goodell.

What about you?

8. Have the First Three Rounds the First Day

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks for a receiver against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

I know the average fan's interest in the draft ends after the first day.

By making the first three rounds the first day, it would maintain viewers longer; that is, if the time was managed in a reasonable manner.

Players drafted in the first three rounds are generally impact players; I know I'd like to watch my team make these picks.

7. Moving the Draft's Location

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: A general view of atmosphere during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Why should the draft be in New York every year?

Just like the Super Bowl moves, the NFL draft should move to increase interest in the league and allow fans from all over to be involved.

6. Players Who Accepted Improper Benefits Are Ineligible for a Year

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthe

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

So, for example, Terrelle Pryor received improper benefits.

If he goes to the NFL, there is no penalty. If he returns to college football, he has a suspension.

The NFL needs to create some kind of penalty for players who cheat in college so they cannot get a clean slate by coming to the NFL. This is just one idea on how to do that.

5. Using Your Pick To Draft an Unavailable Player

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal ellude Jack Tyler #58 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. STanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Ge

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers decide they are willing to wait another year for Andrew Luck to finish college.

So with the first round pick, they draft Andrew Luck for the 2012 season.

I'm sure there are some ethical problems with it...but oh well.

4. Interactive Prizes

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: A Philadelphia Eagles fan poses for a photo before they play against the Green Bay Packers in the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

There is two ways this idea can go.

One: You predict the most picks right in the first three rounds correctly and win some cash.

Two: You are your team's biggest fan and know exactly what they need. Predict every pick they make and win some cash.

Both would make the draft more interesting.

3. Hot Girls

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Cheerleaders for the Indianapolis Colts perform against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

A team just decided who they want to draft.

What's next?

They send their cheerleading squad to his seat to escort him to the stage.

Everyone wins.

2. If a Team Doesn't Pick In Their Alotted Time, Their Rival Chooses For Them

MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Marc Serota/Getty Images

The New York Jets just failed to draft a player in their 10 minute alloted time.

What now?

The Miami Dolphins get to pick for them and waste their pick on a player no one has ever heard of.

It would make watching your rival's draft pick a lot more interesting, and it would guarantee that teams would draft quickly.

1. Limit the Time Per Pick

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Every year, the most boring part of the draft is the amount of time it takes teams to pick.

What in the world takes 10 minutes to decide who to draft?

Did you just find out you had a pick? Did you not spend months discussing what players fit best for your team? Do you really not know which player left you want the most?

The process should take five minutes at most. By making it five minutes, it would keep people interested for longer and make people less likely to tune out.

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