Quote Originally Posted by RashanGary View Post
This was the year after the Covid season. It was, like this year, a historically thin draft. If the grade is a C based on normal expectations, he probably performed at about B level compared to the rest of the league that year.

Likewise, this years draft probably won’t be so great in the mid to later rounds either.
COVID definitely impacted the draft.
Getting an extra year meant you have more older prospects coming out.

NIL is the other piece to the puzzle. Combined with getting an extra year of eligibility from COVID, players have less incentive to declare early. In 2021 it might have resulted in a thinner draft, but I don't think 2024 was a thinner draft because of it. I actually think NIL makes for more robust drafts -- you have better developed players or players with more demonstrated production at the college level for scouts.

The talent at specific positions also varies by year (this year's QB class = very good, this year's ILB class = not so good)... so RG you're not wrong but I just think there are a lot of factors in play you didn't mention.