Putting NFL Draft picks’ longevity in perspective

[Bobhaze]

The NFL draft is certainly THE most important way an NFL team can improve its roster. But it’s also good to keep in mind that other than first rounders, a vast majority of NFL draft picks never even play beyond 3 years.

According to a study done in the Denver Post’s “Mike High Report” in 2014, approximately 71% of NFL first round draft picks are still playing playing 5 years after being drafted. BUT most players drafted in rounds after that, do not play more than 5 years.

For example, only 18.8% of 3rd round picks are still playing 5 years after being drafted. And only 42% of 2nd round draft picks are still playing in the league 5 years after being drafted.

Link to full article:
https://www.milehighreport.com/2014/5/13/5713996/how-long-does-the-average-draft-pick-stick-around

Here’s a chart showing the % of draft picks playing from years 1-5:

Round Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
1 99.7% 93.5% 83.9% 77.4% 71.0%
2 96.8% 96.1%. 83.9% 74.2%. 41.9%
3 96.9% 75.1% 62.5% 37.5% 18.8%
4 91.4% 74.3% 54.3% 34.3% 17.2%
5 81.1% 56.8% 37.8% 24.3% 16.2%
6 70.2%. 57.5% 35.3%. 20.9% 10.6%
7 58.3% 45.8% 31.3% 21.7% 16.7%

This gives us a little perspective on how short a drafted NFL player’s career is and how much lower round draft picks are long shots to have a long impactful career.

EDIT: I've tried to fix the table and can't seem to get it done. Sorry its hard to read.

 

[Mobinvans]

3rd,4th, 5th, 6th, 7th round picks are almost usless. even our second round picks have been dicey.

Sure we got a few starters after the 1st and 2nd but not very many

 

[Bobhaze]

3rd,4th, 5th, 6th, 7th round picks are almost usless. even our second round picks have been dicey.

Sure we got a few starters after the 1st and 2nd but not very many

It’s why the draft is both very important to the team’s success but also a reminder that most drafted NFL players are not going to become stars or even be in the league beyond 3-5 years.

 

[beware_d-ware]

The NFL draft is certainly THE most important way an NFL team can improve its roster. But it’s also good to keep in mind that other than first rounders, a vast majority of NFL draft picks never even play beyond 3 years.

According to a study done in the Denver Post’s “Mike High Report” in 2014, approximately 71% of NFL first round draft picks are still playing playing 5 years after being drafted. BUT most players drafted in rounds after that, do not play more than 5 years.

For example, only 18.8% of 3rd round picks are still playing 5 years after being drafted. And only 42% of 2nd round draft picks are still playing in the league 5 years after being drafted.

Link to full article:
https://www.milehighreport.com/2014/5/13/5713996/how-long-does-the-average-draft-pick-stick-around

Here’s a chart showing the % of draft picks playing from years 1-5:

Round Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
1 99.7% 93.5% 83.9% 77.4% 71.0%
2 96.8% 96.1%. 83.9% 74.2%. 41.9%
3 96.9% 75.1% 62.5% 37.5% 18.8%
4 91.4% 74.3% 54.3% 34.3% 17.2%
5 81.1% 56.8% 37.8% 24.3% 16.2%
6 70.2%. 57.5% 35.3%. 20.9% 10.6%
7 58.3% 45.8% 31.3% 21.7% 16.7%

This gives us a little perspective on how short a drafted NFL player’s career is and how much lower round draft picks are long shots to have a long impactful career.

EDIT: I've tried to fix the table and can't seem to get it done. Sorry its hard to read.

Great data.

Maybe use Snipping Tool to take a screenshot of an Excel file, and upload that pic onto here.