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Arch Manning sweepstakes? NFL insider pitches lottery-style draft format with QB in mind
By Paul Harvey
Published:
The NBA Draft Lottery is one of the most interesting spectacles in all of professional sports, and one insider believes the NFL should consider the model, especially with someone like Texas quarterback Arch Manning potentially up for grabs.
This week, the NBA Draft Lottery stirred up many debates with the Dallas Mavericks landing the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, where they are likely to select Cooper Flagg. It also spurred discussions of a potential NBA conspiracy with Dallas allegedly being rewarded for trading away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
What does that have to do with the NFL? ESPN’s Adam Schefter made the case yesterday that the NFL should consider a similar model because it would be a ratings bonanza for the organization.
He also referenced Manning as the kind of prospect that would make the event even bigger than expected boon for the NFL:
“The more I think about it, the more I think that the NFL should be in that (draft lottery) business… They don’t want teams to tank, they don’t want teams to lose,” said Schefter.
“… If nothing else, if the NFL were able to implement the lottery system, they’d have one more night of ratings, because they’re doing shows for everything else. We’re doing a schedule (reveal) show on ESPN. The schedule show is popular… Why would there not be a draft lottery show? It would be huge!
“Can you imagine a year where there is a top QB prospect, or the year Arch Manning comes out, they put that in primetime, a half-hour special. C’mon, it’s a home run!”
While Schefter likely has a point, it’s unclear if such a major change to the NFL Draft would ever receive approval, especially in time for Manning’s entry into the NFL. For now, fans will just have to wonder if something like that is possible.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
