NFL fans are used to how things go during the NFL offseason. As soon as the Super Bowl is done, the NFL combine focuses attention directly on that season’s NFL draft. Shortly after that, the draft hits the backburner while NFL free agency opens up and veterans move all over the league, especially for the Cleveland Browns under GM Andrew Berry.
Then we return to draft prep with pro days and, finally, the NFL draft.
The NBA turns that on its head. First, the NBA playoffs, including the NBA Finals, are in process while NBA draft preparations, including their combine, take place. Almost immediately following a champion being crowned, the NBA draft happens to start the NBA’s offseason.
Finally, NBA free agency completes the process after the Summer League games have already taken place.
In a lot of ways, the two leagues look at player movement in different ways. With their limited roster sizes, the NBA allows teams to know what young players they will have before filling out their rosters with veterans. The NFL, with its huge rosters, allows their teams to know what needs are left after veterans are added before then drafting players that could help immediately or develop for the future.
Imagine if the NFL changes its process. Shortly after the NFL combine, players have their pro days on a truncated timeline and are drafted early in March. Then, after teams get a chance to see what their rookies look like with a few practices at camp, veterans are signed in late April to fill in the gaps.
A very different process that could have some benefits for teams as well as some downsides.
What do you think about the current order of the NFL offseason? Do you think switching to the NBA’s offseason schedule, with the draft first, would be better for the league?