Performance and Psychology in Football

Every year the National Football League (NFL) conducts an employee draft where 32 professional teams select athletes to fill specific team openings with eligible college football players. In preparation for draft day, teams invest much time and money researching more than 500 potential draft prospects with the objective of selecting players who will be the best match for their team environment. However, less than 9% of the players selected on draft day and those acquired shortly after as free agents are on a team roster on opening day (Pompei, 2005). Furthermore, once selections are made and contracts are signed, the quality of draft day decisions is often left unevaluated.