Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach has revealed the profound impact of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era on the NFL draft process. He stated the Chiefs removed over 25 names from their draft board after the underclassmen declaration list came out in January, as fewer players are leaving college early.
Veach explained that with the ability to earn NIL money in college, more underclassmen are opting to stay in school to improve their draft stock. This trend means NFL teams are now drafting older players on average and must adapt their entire evaluation and development strategy.
"I think when the official decision date for these underclassmen came out, I believe we moved over 25 guys off our board that we had top 75, top 100," Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine. He emphasized that this new reality is something franchises must learn to adapt to, as it affects how they position their draft board and when to be aggressive.
Veach specifically noted that the middle rounds of the draft are hit hardest. Players selected in the second, third, and fourth rounds are now more polished and require less developmental work than in the past, as they have played more college football thanks to NIL incentives.