The NFL draft, or more accurately the attention that it receives, is unique amongst off field sporting events. No other draft process, nor even any sporting awards ceremony, is so analysed, discussed and argued over.

Men such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper have created an entire career out of simply analysing the draft.

So why is the draft so big?

There are many reasons and the incredible popularity of the NFL is a major one. We all know that the Superbowl is routinely watched by a zillion people and names like Marino, Brady and Elway are famous around the world.

But my favourite example of the popularity of NFL is that the Green Bay Packers have sold out every single game since 1968! Every. Single. Game.

If you want to buy season tickets for the Packers, you can sign up now but the wait is estimated to be about 35 years. And I thought the wait for SCG membership was long.

However, it is not just the popularity of the sport that drives the fascination with the draft, it is also the incredible sums of money involved.

The NFL, more than any other sport in the world, is all about the Benjamin’s. The top pick in this year’s draft is expected to be offered a contract worth $65-70 million over five or six years.

So who will be the lucky boy this year?

First pick belongs to the woeful (and I mean woeful – last year, they didn’t win a single game. Even the Demons win occasionally) Detroit Lions. Not surprisingly, the Lions are weak at many positions but they are widely tipped to address the glamour spot first and take Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first pick.

Then it gets interesting.

Contrary to what most people might expect, it is actually rare for quarterbacks or wide receivers to get picked in the top ten. Rather, it is generally the offensive and defensive linemen that go early.

The reason why the 150kg (no really) behemoths are picked early is that, as in the rugby codes, it is the big men in the middle who create the platform for victory whilst the little men take all the credit.

No matter how good your quarterback is, without a strong O-line your team is going nowhere because that same quarterback will be getting eaten by a giant defensive end like Justin Tuck (truly the most frightening athlete in the world not named Mike Tyson).

So this year expect the likes of 196cm, 140kg Jason Smith, or 193cm, 151kg Andre Smith, to be picked in the top 10 and receive a first pay cheque for more than I’ll ever make in a lifetime.

However, the first round of the draft won’t be completely devoid of so-called ‘skill position’ players.

As suggested earlier, Georgia QB Matthew Stafford is the short odds favourite to go number one, whilst Mark Sanchez, late of the University of Southern California Trojans, is expected to join him in the top 10.

Also expecting to go early is Texas Tech phenomenon Michael Crabtree, who has Usain Bolt type acceleration to go with an exceptional pair of hands.

So if you find yourself up and about early Sunday morning, you could do worse than taking in all the pageantry and excitement that goes with the NFL draft

Mr Sports Projected Top Ten Picks:

1) Matthew Stafford
2) Jason Smith
3) Aaron Curry
4) Mark Sanchez
5) Michael Crabtree
6) Eugene Monroe
7) Andre Smith
BJ Raji
9) Brian Orapko
10) Michael Oher

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