Ascher Marks

The implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has produced a new world for college football. Schools are nearing $50 million in roster costs, and transfer rates are higher in search of paydays, making universities with the most revenue the most competitive.

While this has created chaos within the sport and college athletics altogether, I wanted to see if there were residual effects outside of the college world. College football is unique in that it is the only talent pool for its professional counterpart. The NBA has international players who are eligible. The MLB can draft out of high school and sign international players. The NHL has ample options between international and domestic leagues, while also having the largest age range to draft from. The NFL is bound to the NCAA to survive.

If there are massive changes happening to the biggest sport in college, then there should be changes seen in the NFL. With that in mind, I looked at the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. The first two days of the draft are the most coveted picks a team has. They hold the most value with trades, and they have the biggest impact on job status based on whether they are successful or not. What is seen is a decline in selections from non-Power 4 schools.