Every year in April, there is draft day, an event that every NFL fan waits for. It’s an exciting time, after all, as this 3-day annual event is where the teams select college football players to join them. It’s all about building a stronger future roster that could end up leading to more wins (or losses). 

What’s even more thrilling is that draft day doesn’t always go according to plan. More often than not, there are some serious curveballs that surprise both teams and fans. 

A Look Back on Draft Day Surprises

To understand just how much impact a draft day surprise can have on an entire NFL season (and, sometimes, even far beyond that), it helps to look at some previous ones. 

The drafting of Ja’Marr Chase in 2021

A high-risk move made by the Cincinnati Bengals took place in 2021. The standard decision would have been to draft an offensive tackle, but instead the team opted to select the wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. This ended up being an amazing choice, as Chase set records as a rookie and even helped the Bengals appear at the Super Bowl. 

Tom Brady selected by the New England Patriots in 2000

Back in 2000, Tom Brady was a widely overlooked Michigan quarterback. That’s when he was swooped up in the 6th round by New England. What an amazing surprise this was, as Brady ended up leading New England to its first-ever Super Bowl title and many more after this. 

Staying Entertained Throughout the Commotion

Surprises occur amid the usual chaos of NFL draft day, but there are also long stretches of commercial breaks and waiting periods. So, what should you do throughout it? While you keep up with coverage, you can also keep the thrill going by placing wagers or even joining Gaming Club. On there, you can play online slots and casino games from your mobile. So, while there’s some downtime, you don’t have to turn down the fun. 

3 Types of Draft Day Surprises that Can Reshape an Entire NFL Season

1. Valuable Late-Round Picks

The main coverage follows first-round selections. However, late-round picks can often prove extremely surprising, especially when one of them leads to a team’s upward trajectory. These types of surprises are not usually witnessed for several months once games actually begin. 

2. Trade Demands and Refusals to Play

Draft day drama occurs when a top NFL player prospect refuses to play for a team. This happened with Eli Manning in 2004. He made it clear he did not want to play for the San Diego Chargers, who ended up picking him. Less than an hour later, he was traded to the New York Giants. 

3. Alternative Leagues or Retirement

There is also the small possibility that a player can choose to either play in another league entirely, such as the Canadian Football League, or walk away from the game of football altogether. If this happens, it can change the course of the upcoming NFL season for a team that would have otherwise picked these players.