2011 NFL Draft: 20 Reasons We Love To Watch the Draft
The NFL draft is just as exciting for the fans as it is for the teams participating in the event.
The NFL has the longest offseason of any of the major sports in the U.S. The draft now has helped fill that void between the Super Bowl and the Hall of Fame Game in August.
Assuming there's going to be a 2011 season without a hitch, this event once again will prove that good marketing is all you need to take a bunch of guys in a conference room picking names off a list and turn it into one of the biggest television events of the year.
The draft has built-in drama, and the unexpected is to be expected.
Here are 20 reasons why we love watching the draft.
20. The Chris Berman Love/Hate Relationship
1 of 20
We're not here to debate whether you think Chris Berman is awesome or if you think he's the worst broadcaster on ESPN. What we do know is that people watch him.
You either throw things at the TV when he's talking or listen intently. Whatever your reason, he is a reason.
19. Late-Round Human Interest Stories
2 of 20
Remember in 2009 during the late rounds, when Graham Harrell got a really nice video package about how hard he worked, his relationship with the coach and the community and how he was going to be one of those late-round steals?
Yeah, we love those pieces.
By the way, as the Packers' emergency third quarterback, Harrell got a Super Bowl ring this week.
18. Thursday Night Prime Time Round 1
3 of 20
This will be the second year the draft has entered prime time, so we're still figuring the whole process out. But if this year is anything like last year, it's almost like watching a game.
You get together with friends, order a pizza and some wings and it's just like Monday Night Football.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
17. Comparing Mock Drafts to the Real Thing
4 of 20
Mock drafts are all the rage anymore. Everyone has their own, especially for the top 10.
Comparing your prognostication to the real thing is as fun as anything else that night.
16. Emmitt Smith
5 of 20
Emmitt Smith has been doing some draft analysis for the networks the last few years.
Smith is just not cut out for the job, which is why we hope he shows up again this year to entertain everyone.
15. Mr. Irrelevant
6 of 20
What started out as a joke now has become a Vegas bet.
The last person to be drafted got dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant" because a lot of last-round draft picks end up washing out of the NFL fairly quickly.
Now being the last brings at least 15 minutes of fame and a parade in his honor.
Admit it—you'll be trying to pick who Mr. Irrelevant is by the time the draft hits the final round.
14. Technical Breakdowns
7 of 20
Remember when the Vikings and the Ravens were supposed to complete a trade, but the deal never got finalized because no one ever officially notified the league about it?
A phone not being answered is the alleged culprit of this legendary miscue, but in the heat of the moment, things happen.
When blunders happen, they make for great entertainment, unless your team is the victim.
13. Waiting for Bill Belichick to Pick
8 of 20
Bill Belichick never met a first-round pick he wasn't ready and willing to trade away.
But at some point, he'll have to start picking players.
Place your bets now on when the Patriots start participating in the NFL draft.
12. Seeing Who Shows Up
9 of 20
The NFL invites a bunch of draft picks expected to go high for photo opportunities every year. Every year a bunch of players decline, usually because they don't want to be "that guy" sitting in the Green Room while everyone else goes out to put on his hat and get his picture taken.
11. Trade Downs
10 of 20
Some teams just don’t like where they are picking, especially in the first round. Some teams in the top 10 have their eye on one or two players for that area of the draft, and if they’re gone, they don’t want to pick that high, so they try to move down.
The Patriots do it all the time, the Browns did it a bunch of times in 2009 to the detriment of their team and there is speculation the Cowboys may trade down this year.
Tune in to see what happens.
10. Trade Ups
11 of 20
Rex Ryan traded up to get Mark Sanchez in 2009, and that worked out pretty well for his team.
This year, at least one team will try to make the same move.
Will it work out for them?
The fans hope so.
9. Seeing Who Your Team Picks
12 of 20
No matter what player goes where, the most important picks in the draft are YOUR team's picks.
Everything comes to a crashing halt when your team goes on the clock. It's like a weird version of the two-minute drill and your team is driving down the field to try to win the game.
8. Waiting to See What Al Davis Does
13 of 20
The Raiders may not have a first-round pick this year, but that doesn't mean Al Davis won't do something crazy.
No one zigs instead of zags at the draft like Davis.
7. Waiting to See Who Drops
14 of 20
Remember how the San Francisco 49ers passed on Aaron Rodgers for Alex Smith?
Remember watching Brady Quinn wilt in the Green Room?
Yep, it's morbid sights like these that become compellivision during the first round of the NFL Draft.
By the way, how's that pick working out for the 49ers?
6. Jets Fans
15 of 20
No one owns the Radio City Music Hall auditorium like Jets fans.
How Jets fans react to their picks is as entertaining as anything in the draft. We could be here for days recalling all the "fan" moments that stood out over the years at the NFL draft involving the Jets.
5. Mel Kiper Highlights
16 of 20
Every year, ESPN puts together a highlight package of pronouncements Mel Kiper got right and ones he was dead wrong on.
It's very entertaining either way, and some of his quotes are as famous as anything else in the draft.
4. Mel Kiper's Hair
17 of 20
There is no better hair in the NFL Draft Arena than the Kiper!!
3. Todd McShay
18 of 20
Todd McShay is the Robin to Kiper's Batman.
McShay is a great voice of reason to Kiper's unbridled passion on some players. ESPN did a very nice job of giving Kiper someone to sound off on and work with.
2. The One and Only Mel Kiper
19 of 20
We've looked at his highlights, we've singled out his hair, but we have to give one slide to the Draft Guru that is all about him.
Kiper is one of the main reasons the draft coverage is what it is today. Kiper got the ball rolling before there was a television event, and his knowledge and enthusiasm are a big part of the process.
1. It's Super Bowl Sunday for Every Fan
20 of 20
Draft Day is Super Bowl Sunday for every fan. That draft pick is going to be the pick that turns everything around.
Every fan is excited, every fan is screaming and shouting. You can't go wrong.
Except when you do.
Then the boos rain down.
Still, the draft is the pinnacle of entertainment when it comes to sports. Everyone is dressed up, they all are on stage and it has highlight packages.
What more could you ask for?
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
