Early Thursday morning I got a text message from one of our partners. “Can’t wait for a real sporting event tonight”. The NFL Draft came along at the perfect time. Six weeks into the pandemic, NETFLIX has been binged, puzzles put together(4 in our household), and all of the do-it-yourself home projects have been completed. The ratings showed that Thursday night was the highest in the history of the event. I think the subdued at-home approach by the League did help, and maybe force the powers that be to consider toning down the event next year at Cleveland before returning to glitz and glam at Las Vegas in 2022.
The offseason steal of Deandre Hopkins was already a big score. But adding the second best defensive player in the draft at pick #8 in Isiah Simmons was another win. 3rd round pick Josh Jones should bolster the offensive line and grabbing Utah defensive line Leki Fotu in the 4th was another solid selection.
Florida International, St. Johns, Minnesota, Charlotte, Dayton, Lenior-Rhyne and Southern Illinois all had more players selected in the NFL Draft than the University of Arizona.
For a team that hasn’t had a playoff game since 2015, the stock is clearly on the upswing.
Brad Cesmat
