# 2025 NFL Draft Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [April 24, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430 "2025-04-24T01:52:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/281 "2025-04-30T19:32:35Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > he didn’t have a way of knowing who was actually calling him. He would logically assume it was a legit representative of one of the 32 teams, correct? ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/282 "2025-04-30T19:41:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > There were apparently several other prank calls made to prospective draftees during the draft, including one to the Giants’ #1 pick, Abdul Sanders, which the league is continuing to investigate. Hehe, that Sanders family is really something. > [@Railer13](#): > > According to Sanders, that phone (and number) was given to him just for the draft. Sounds like the NFL might already be doing burner phones for the draft, and they’ve attached a partnership to it as they do. If so, I’m kind of surprised that this wasn’t more widely known. Though I suppose this could just be a Sanders/Boost thing and the NFL doesn’t do it widely. That would be a lot of phones, and you might miss someone when a team goes off the board. > [@TroutMan](#): > > Right, but he didn’t have a way of knowing who was actually calling him. That seems like an easy loophole to close. If the NFL is using burner phones, they should have the ability to preload them with all the relevant contacts and potentially lock them down in such a way that all non-known incoming numbers are blocked. They could also prevent the installation of other apps. As mentioned up thread, the NFL could partner with a secure communication app (yay, another partnership!) but that might interfere with any existing accounts the players might have on those services on their personal phones. At the end of the day, the problem with all security is people. All the NFL team officials would need to be super disciplined about how they contact players and agents. They likely exchange personal numbers with all these people during the pre-draft process and maybe even in the years prior if it’s well known kid. Similarly, a bunch of stupid college kids also need to treat their communications like they work in White House, not like they are a standard-issue Gen Z person. In a world where Instagram DMs are the most common massaging platform, you need to manage expectations. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/283 "2025-04-30T19:43:49Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Hehe, that Sanders family is really something. _facepalm_ I clearly had “Sanders” on the brain. Abdul **Carter** , of course. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/284 "2025-04-30T19:50:08Z")
Hopefully you’re not turning into Rain Man the way Mel did. _“..1 pick to Sanders, 1 pick to Sanders, Charlie…1 pick to Sanders”_ ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/285 "2025-04-30T20:28:27Z")
“…secure communication app…” Sponsorship deal!! 🙃 The Official Secure Communication App of the National Football League. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/286 "2025-05-01T16:37:27Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > If the NFL is using burner phones, they should have the ability to preload them with all the relevant contacts and potentially lock them down in such a way that all non-known incoming numbers are blocked. I’m having trouble finding it now because everything comes up is about the prank, but apparently there was a draft pick that had the numbers for all the GMs and HCs saved on his phone. Only he then ignored the call because they had an assistant coach call him. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/287 "2025-05-01T16:41:56Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Only he then ignored the call because they had an assistant coach call him. [![](https://media1.tenor.com/m/bmL21Em6rzsAAAAC/ha-ha-point.gif) ](https://media1.tenor.com/m/bmL21Em6rzsAAAAC/ha-ha-point.gif) In all seriousness, that’s what sucks about these pranks. Not just the stress it causes for the target of the prank, but it makes it hard for people to trust the real calls. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/288 "2025-05-02T00:57:23Z")
I found this fascinating. The Seahawks put out an article talking about what it was like to be in the draft room, what they did and talked about prior to the pick. I love how they knew immediately who they were going to pick and chose to “milk it”. I sometimes wonder why it took so long for some of these picjsy to be announced. > **[‘This Is Fun.’ Inside The Seahawks Draft Room During The 2025 NFL Draft](https://www.seahawks.com/news/this-is-fun-inside-the-seahawks-draft-room-during-the-2025-nfl-draft)** > > Get a look inside the Seahawks draft room as they select 11 players during the 2025 NFL Draft. Anyway, the amount of detail is staggering. I don’t know if all draft rooms are like this during the draft, but I bet there are a lot of similarities. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/289 "2025-05-02T02:44:44Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I sometimes wonder why it took so long for some of these picjsy to be announced. Years ago, I was told teams will wait to the end of their turn - especially in early rounds - to see what the trade market looks like. There’s always the chance you don’t have a player you LOVE AND NEED, but the team a few picks back does, AND someone between here and there wants him too. Move back a few picks, still get a guy you want, and pick up some extra swings. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/290 "2025-05-02T15:12:15Z")
The simple way to solve the problem is don’t call the player until after the pick is announced. I’m assuming the players who are in the building don’t get a phone call. The player doesn’t need to find out a minute before everyone else. Then all you have to worry about is someone breaking into the broadcast and using an AI Roger Goodell to announce the wrong name. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/291 "2025-05-02T15:25:00Z")
It really isn’t a problem needing a solution. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/292 "2025-05-02T20:03:33Z")
Very true. That said, I’m curious what objections the teams would have if they did away with the pre-selection calls. I’m sure the social media teams love it now that every team has cameras in the draft room, even if these conversations are aggressively stupid and make everyone look silly. I can’t imagine there’s ever been an example of a team calling a player and the player saying, “no, I don’t want to be a Packer, pick someone else.” I get the sense that this is just an excuse for the GM and scouts to get some screen time and to demonstrate their culture. As I have gotten more cynical, I find this kind of stuff insufferable, but it’s all part of the gimmick. The draft certainly doesn’t need to be TV either, so why nitpick? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/293 "2025-05-02T20:36:25Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > It really isn’t a problem needing a solution. $350,000 says otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/294 "2025-05-02T20:40:04Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > $350,000 says otherwise Oh, I’m thinking that this $350k MIGHT have solved the problem going forward. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/295 "2025-05-02T20:40:28Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I can’t imagine there’s ever been an example of a team calling a player and the player saying, “no, I don’t want to be a Packer, pick someone else.” That won’t happen, agreed. Everyone who enters the draft is desperate to make it in, and won’t jeopardize it by saying “no”. I’m also sure it’s made clear that every player is told that they have to agree to join the team that drafts them or they can’t play in the NFL per league rules. Of course, nothing stops a player from demanding an immediate trade as famously happened with Eli Manning, but that still comes after the initial “yes”. (Actually in Manning’s case, this was worked out in advance, with the trade between San Diego and New York already in place before the draft, so what happened on draft day was pure pageantry.) > [@Omniscient](#): > > I get the sense that this is just an excuse for the GM and scouts to get some screen time and to demonstrate their culture. Yup! If you read the article I posted, teams also use the draft to try to give credit to scouts for their hard work to show that they’re appreciated (because teams need good scouts to be successful). The live draft is a TV show and it’s as much entertainment as any awards show or sporting event. And the people who appear get to be stars on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/296 "2025-05-03T02:08:47Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I can’t imagine there’s ever been an example of a team calling a player and the player saying, “no, I don’t want to be a Packer, pick someone else.” You mean like Elway and the Colts, Bo Jackson and the Bucs, or Eli Manning and the Chargers? Arian Foster, who was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Texans, thinks the Seahawks passed on him because he didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic when they told him they intended on drafting him. > [@](#): > > Actually, I got a call from the [Seattle Seahawks](https://www.nfl.com/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA)in the seventh round and they said: ‘We have back-to-back seventh-round picks and we are thinking about taking you. What do you think?’" > > That’s when Foster got himself in trouble. > > “I was really upset about how the whole draft went (up to that point) and my attitude was very bad,” he recalled. “I said (in a nonchalant tone), ‘Yeah, that’d be OK if I went in the seventh round to the [Seattle Seahawks](https://www.nfl.com/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA).’” > > Foster is of the belief that his underwhelming reaction to Seattle’s call led the team to go in another direction. The [Seahawks](https://www.nfl.com/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA) ended up selecting defensive end Nick Reed and tight end [Cameron Morrah](https://www.nfl.com/player/cameronmorrah/81851/profile), two men who have yet to win an NFL rushing title. > **[Foster says bad attitude kept him out of Seahawks uniform](https://www.nfl.com/news/foster-says-bad-attitude-kept-him-out-of-seahawks-uniform-09000d5d82382ac1)** > > Arian Foster has a rushing title and is an All-Pro, but the running back thinks things could have been dramatically different if he didn't have a bad attitude during a phone call on draft day 2009. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/297 "2025-05-03T02:50:07Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > You mean like Elway and the Colts, Bo Jackson and the Bucs, or Eli Manning and the Chargers? Not the same situation since all three were #1 picks. There were weeks to figure out what was going on not 10 minutes to see who the next pick is. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430/298 "2025-05-03T03:49:58Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > You mean like Elway and the Colts, Bo Jackson and the Bucs, or Eli Manning and the Chargers? The situation being described is a player getting a surprise call from a team live as the draft is in progress and saying, **at that moment** , “No thank you.” That didn’t happen with any of those players. Certainly there have been pre-draft negotiations for players who were #1 picks. I even mentioned Eli before your post as an example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nfl-draft-thread/1017430.md?page=14)