The increasing commodification of the NFL draft this century has turned what was once an afterthought on the pro football calendar into a cottage industry.
Quarterbacks such as Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis became household names as much for their draft stocks this spring as for their college accomplishments.
However, this has had at least one notable side effect. Many prospects have had to deal in the days and weeks leading up to the draft with a steady trickle of negative stories, some of which can affect their draft position.
On Friday, Colts general manager Chris Ballard offered a stinging rebuke to this development while introducing Indianapolis's new quarterback, Richardson.
“All the crap coming out about these kids. It’s crap,” Ballard said. “It’s bulls--t. I’m sorry, but it’s bulls--t. People that leak these stories, these negative stories... I just don’t agree with it. It’s bulls--t.”
While fielding questions about Anthony Richardson and their draft process, #Colts GM Chris Ballard felt compelled to speak on the “bullshit” draft narratives that often plague NFL draft prospects pic.twitter.com/ki3KpiyCDj
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) April 28, 2023
The Colts took Richardson with the fourth overall pick Thursday evening. Levis had been a trendy candidate to be a top-five selection, but slipped all the way to the second round.
“These guys work their ass off to get where they need to be,” Ballard said. “I thought some of the kids in the draft that were good kids had to take a little bit of a beating that they shouldn’t have.”
