The 2022 NFL Draft is over and 262 players have heard their names called.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made Georgia’s Travon Walker the first overall pick in the draft.
Meanwhile, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy went to the Los Angeles Rams with last pick, the so-called Mr. Irrelevant.
The Georgia Bulldogs also made history with 15 players drafted, the most from one school in a seven-round draft format.
But as teams gear up for their respective training camps, ESPN’s Field Yates shared some interesting tidbits about the past drafts.
A “Did You Know?” on the night of the NBA Draft lottery:
From 1947-1958, the NFL would award a Bonus Pick on the day of the draft that would become the 1st overall pick. It was drawn out of a hat.
That would make for *insanity* if it existed still today. pic.twitter.com/7gFGxPWNSJ
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 17, 2022
Yates tweeted, “A ‘Did You Know?’ On the night of the NBA Draft lottery: From 1947-1958, the NFL would award a Bonus Pick on the day of the draft that would become the 1st overall pick. It was drawn out of a hat. That would make for *insanity* if it existed still today.”
Having The Bonus Pick Today Would Bring Chaos
The NBA Draft is more complicated than the NFL’s version.
Non-playoff teams participate in the lottery wherein they are given four-digit combinations based on the records at the end of the regular season.
The three worst teams get 140 combinations each while the best non-playoff team has five.
Only the top four teams in the draft are chosen via the lottery.
Once those teams are determined, the remaining teams are ranked based on their win-loss record.
In contrast, the NFL automatically awards the top overall pick to the team with the worst record while the Super Bowl champions will have the 32nd and last pick.
In some ways, that bonus pick system could have discouraged teams from tanking.
After all, there’s no guarantee that they will get the top selection.
But it can create controversy, especially if a playoff team was selected to pick first.
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