NFL’s “Suck for Luck” Campaign Raises Consideration of Draft Lottery

The ever-growing Suck for Luck campaign in the NFL is beyond sickening. To think that any sports team at any level would lose on purpose or welcome losing for the chance at a high draft pick goes against everything for which sports stand. As bad as the NBA lottery is hated, it might be a good idea to implement it in the NFL. Let’s examine the pros and cons of doing so.

The NBA’s lottery is extremely controversial and one recent occurrence validates all those who oppose it. The Chicago Bulls were not the worst team in the NBA in 2007; they finished the year 33-49. However, the Bulls lucked out in the ensuing draft, receiving the No. 1 overall pick and using it to take Derrick Rose. The Memphis product has since become the youngest player ever to win the NBA MVP trophy. He immediately made the Bulls a playoff team again.

In the NFL, literally the worst team in the league each season gets the first overall pick in the ensuing draft. It’s worked well for nearly a century, proving it’s a better system than the lottery. The Detroit Lions went 0-16 in 2008, but several top 10 draft picks have since lifted them to their first 5-0 start since 1956.

Although less than halfway complete, the 2011 season is the first to truly question whether the NFL’s current method in determining the draft order is superior to the likes of a lottery. The Indianapolis Colts present the most intriguing case.

After winning more games than any other team during the 2000-2010 decade, the Colts are 0-7 for the first time since 1997, a year before Peyton Manning was drafted. With Manning out this season following neck surgery, the universal debate has risen of whether the Colts should draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft if the opportunity arises.

On one side, the likes of former NFL quarterback Phil Simms think the Colts are foolish for even considering such an idea. However, former Colts Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy not only believes the Colts should draft Luck, but also trade Manning after doing so.

That’s a different argument entirely. The part that affects the lottery debate is the Colts’ lack of effort in their 0-7 start. The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams are also winless this season. The Rams drafted quarterback Sam Bradford first overall a year ago, but like Indianapolis, Miami is also accused of purposely throwing games to get in position to draft Luck.

Stanford’s Heisman-hopeful quarterback is the best NFL prospect to come along since Manning. He is the surest bet at his position in an NFL draft in a long time. That doesn’t make it right that any team should welcome losing for a chance to draft him.

Employing a lottery would only fix such a case like Luck’s. As mentioned, this debate has never been nearly as validated as it is now, perhaps because no player like Luck has come along in a while and a team like the Colts hasn’t been in nearly as interesting of a dilemma.

The NFL has some pondering to do regarding this issue, but don’t expect a change at all, much less anytime soon. It’s just one of those things at which you must shake your head and go on.

Contact Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin

 

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