CFZ The average number of games NFL players play by draft round

[Ebnorice]

According to a 2022 article written for NCAA.com, when taking into account all players drafted this century, it is surprising how few total games a typical player in the NFL actually ends up playing in their career.

The table below shows the average number of regular season NFL games played by draft pick by round, as well as how many regular seasons' worth of games that translates to, based on a 17-game regular-season schedule. These numbers reflect both the players that had long careers as well as those who barely played.

ROUND	AVG. REG. SEASON GAMES PLAYED	REG. SEASONS' WORTH OF GAMES
1	62.3	3.7
2	56.3	3.3
3	48.1	2.8
4	44.4	2.6
5	40.5	2.4
6	32.5	1.9
7	28.1	1.7

Think about first round guys like JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel who were big busts, but they played at least 20 regular season games before their quick exits. But there are also guys like 2nd round Jets QB Christian Hackenburg, who NEVER played a single Reg season game. It’s a good thing Jerry’s temporary love for Denver 1st rd QB Paxton Lynch didn’t happen because he only played in 5 NFL games!

One reason I point this out is the Cowboys have actually done better than average with their draft picks’ longevity. Think about the Cowboys first round picks the last 7 seasons- only one- Taco Charlton has been a bust.

As we near the NFL draft in a few weeks, it’s interesting to note how short a career is for typical guys that get drafted in this league.

Here’s a link to the article Ibreferenced.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/...ft-picks-career-games-played-average-position

And even with taco being a bust. He still lasted more seasons in the nfl then the average.

 

[Mk2_Cowboys]

According to a 2022 article written for NCAA.com, when taking into account all players drafted this century, it is surprising how few total games a typical player in the NFL actually ends up playing in their career.

The table below shows the average number of regular season NFL games played by draft pick by round, as well as how many regular seasons' worth of games that translates to, based on a 17-game regular-season schedule. These numbers reflect both the players that had long careers as well as those who barely played.

ROUND	AVG. REG. SEASON GAMES PLAYED	REG. SEASONS' WORTH OF GAMES
1	62.3	3.7
2	56.3	3.3
3	48.1	2.8
4	44.4	2.6
5	40.5	2.4
6	32.5	1.9
7	28.1	1.7

Think about first round guys like JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel who were big busts, but they played at least 20 regular season games before their quick exits. But there are also guys like 2nd round Jets QB Christian Hackenburg, who NEVER played a single Reg season game. It’s a good thing Jerry’s temporary love for Denver 1st rd QB Paxton Lynch didn’t happen because he only played in 5 NFL games!

One reason I point this out is the Cowboys have actually done better than average with their draft picks’ longevity. Think about the Cowboys first round picks the last 7 seasons- only one- Taco Charlton has been a bust.

As we near the NFL draft in a few weeks, it’s interesting to note how short a career is for typical guys that get drafted in this league.

Here’s a link to the article Ibreferenced.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/...ft-picks-career-games-played-average-position

Super interesting great post!

 

[DuncanIso]

According to a 2022 article written for NCAA.com, when taking into account all players drafted this century, it is surprising how few total games a typical player in the NFL actually ends up playing in their career.

The table below shows the average number of regular season NFL games played by draft pick by round, as well as how many regular seasons' worth of games that translates to, based on a 17-game regular-season schedule. These numbers reflect both the players that had long careers as well as those who barely played.

ROUND	AVG. REG. SEASON GAMES PLAYED	REG. SEASONS' WORTH OF GAMES
1	62.3	3.7
2	56.3	3.3
3	48.1	2.8
4	44.4	2.6
5	40.5	2.4
6	32.5	1.9
7	28.1	1.7

Think about first round guys like JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel who were big busts, but they played at least 20 regular season games before their quick exits. But there are also guys like 2nd round Jets QB Christian Hackenburg, who NEVER played a single Reg season game. It’s a good thing Jerry’s temporary love for Denver 1st rd QB Paxton Lynch didn’t happen because he only played in 5 NFL games!

One reason I point this out is the Cowboys have actually done better than average with their draft picks’ longevity. Think about the Cowboys first round picks the last 7 seasons- only one- Taco Charlton has been a bust.

As we near the NFL draft in a few weeks, it’s interesting to note how short a career is for typical guys that get drafted in this league.

Here’s a link to the article Ibreferenced.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/...ft-picks-career-games-played-average-position

Most NFL Players never see a 2nd contract.

 

[conner01]

Loading up on IDFAs compared to 6th and 7th rounders has some merit. I often think of UDFA guys like Wes Welker, Rod Smith, and even here with Terrance Steele.. There are quite a few sleepers that never get drafted and because they aren’t draft capital, it’s good value.

There are more UDFA in the nfl than 6-7 round picks. Though there is only 64 of the drafted players and a lot more UDFA
But the odds are slim for all of them. Those who make a career are slim compared to the total for either late picks or UDFA
Scouts are pretty smart and they generally know who’s got the best chance

 

[CCBoy]

According to a 2022 article written for NCAA.com, when taking into account all players drafted this century, it is surprising how few total games a typical player in the NFL actually ends up playing in their career.

The table below shows the average number of regular season NFL games played by draft pick by round, as well as how many regular seasons' worth of games that translates to, based on a 17-game regular-season schedule. These numbers reflect both the players that had long careers as well as those who barely played.

ROUND	AVG. REG. SEASON GAMES PLAYED	REG. SEASONS' WORTH OF GAMES
1	62.3	3.7
2	56.3	3.3
3	48.1	2.8
4	44.4	2.6
5	40.5	2.4
6	32.5	1.9
7	28.1	1.7

Think about first round guys like JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel who were big busts, but they played at least 20 regular season games before their quick exits. But there are also guys like 2nd round Jets QB Christian Hackenburg, who NEVER played a single Reg season game. It’s a good thing Jerry’s temporary love for Denver 1st rd QB Paxton Lynch didn’t happen because he only played in 5 NFL games!

One reason I point this out is the Cowboys have actually done better than average with their draft picks’ longevity. Think about the Cowboys first round picks the last 7 seasons- only one- Taco Charlton has been a bust.

As we near the NFL draft in a few weeks, it’s interesting to note how short a career is for typical guys that get drafted in this league.

Here’s a link to the article Ibreferenced.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/...ft-picks-career-games-played-average-position

Team's rosters and depth are indicated by actual time/plays, in a game. Coaching and Scouts are thus judged by these indicators as well.

 

[CCBoy]

There are more UDFA in the nfl than 6-7 round picks. Though there is only 64 of the drafted players and a lot more UDFA
But the odds are slim for all of them. Those who make a career are slim compared to the total for either late picks or UDFA
Scouts are pretty smart and they generally know who’s got the best chance

Odd thing about physical demands...more is gained by actually being forged under fire than an indirect comparison with projection being more in abstract. (lower round projects)

 

[BoyzBlaster]

Imagine a world where Jerry gets Lynch. Dak Prescott is likely not taken later in that draft by the Cowboys. Romo and Moore get injured, so they have to go with the rookie Lynch in 2016. He fails, miserably, the Cowboys end up with a top 10 pick and in need of a QB.

Ol' Jerry falls in love with Mitch Trubisky and is upset that the Bears beat him to the punch, so he settles for Patrick Mahomes.

That's the insidious part of being stuck with Dak. He's just good enough to get you a winning record and give some people reason to hope, not good enough to win anything that matters. And that's how a whole decade gets flushed down the toilet.