NIL deals and players' reactions to them give NFL teams another tool to evaluate draft prospects
The NIL deals that are transforming college sports are also allowing NFL teams to gain insight into how a young player will react to having money before they get a big pro contract. For many evaluators, it has become an important tool in the draft process . “The cool thing about college scouting that we always had to answer when we were going to schools, how’s a guy going to be when he has money?
Now we have that answer,” Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said recently. “Some guys get the money and change the way they are. Other guys get the money and you hear stories about taking guys out for dinner, taking his teammates (out) and he works hard, is a leader.
You kind of get the answer. It’s a great thing and it’s great for players in college to have that opportunity. ” Spending habits can also help determine a player’s level of maturity, revealing whether they’re disciplined or become distracted.
A prospect who stays focused despite lucrative deals is more likely to make a smoother transition to the pros. Scouts want to see if a player’s performance dips after making a lot of money or if he maintains the same work ethic and consistency. How they interact with teammates is also a key dynamic.
"Does the guy have eight cars or does he actually have a financial advisor, and he puts it into an S&P stock index because he’s trying to grow his portfolio? ” Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio said. “You’ve got probably a different thought process that goes into it.
Continue to the original source for the full article.