The NFL Draft Proves the Numbers Don’t Speak for Themselves

The NFL Draft is one of the most highly anticipated events of the NFL calendar. It’s a chance for every team to add talent and potentially change the course of an organization.

The NFL Draft is essentially a hiring spree. Teams that hit on their selections see a positive trend in the organization while poor decisions lead to poor results on the field.

None of the decisions made during the Draft are based only on the numbers. There’s a human element involved that creates the drama, intrigue and second-guessing by fans and pundits.

Here’s how we know the numbers don’t speak for themselves:

1. Mock drafts drive conversations. If college productivity determined when players were drafted there would be very little conversation as to who should be a first-round draft pick. Based on the numbers the guess work should be eliminated and yet every year it’s one of the biggest talking points heading into the draft.
2. There’s no such thing as “auto draft.” Even the idea of taking the “best available” player is up for interpretation. Each team values players differently based on need and team dynamics that go beyond the stats.
3. Scouting departments exist. If the draft was strictly about productivity, there would be no need for scouts to evaluate talent, one-on-one interviews or in-person meetings with potential draft picks.
4. A lack of stats can be advantageous. The stats produced by a backup running back don’t jump off the page, but having less wear and tear on his body than the starting workhorse can be a selling point to some teams.
5. Emotions run high. In theory, numbers are impartial — they’re supposed to take the emotion out of a decision, but there’s plenty of crying, hugging and celebrating during the draft. It’s proof there’s more to the story than the stats; it’s about challenges that were overcome, the opportunities ahead and how many people supported the athletes along the way.

If the numbers spoke for themselves the NFL Draft wouldn’t be an event, but it is.

I’m sure you’re already making the correlation. To put a fine point on it — if the numbers don’t speak for themselves in sports, they don’t speak for themselves in any industry.

Just like the NFL Draft picks, your productivity is only part of the story. The need for results is obvious, but don’t forget you’re the secret sauce, and you’re so much more than a number.