Steve Davis: Should The NFL Have A Draft Lottery?
The question was raised this week about having the NFL take a page out of the NBA's book and hold a lottery for the top of the draft. I think they should consider it, although I wouldn't do it quite like the NBA. I would just reserve it for the absolute worst teams.
However, since it comes up in many years, the notion of tanking games at the end of the season, I think a lottery would serve as a disincentive to lose games to get a higher draft pick. Mind you, I don't think players tank games. I think organizations might make a decision to do it by not playing certain players at the end of the year, particularly in the last game, or even last two. Fans pay too much money, and, more importantly, too much can be decided on one game being won or lost and a team making the playoffs, to allow teams to sit players to give their team a better chance of losing. What about the players that you are sending out there to play? What message does it send to them? We think you're not good enough to win so we want you to play.
This year, two teams finished with 3 wins, and two finished with 4 wins. If nothing else, flip a coin between the two 3 win teams for the top pick and the two 4 win teams for the 4th pick. I don't think it has to be drastic, and I don't think it has to include every team that misses the playoffs like the NBA, but I do think it might make sense to add at least an element of luck to get the number 1 pick, and not just guaranteed to the team with worst record and the worst tie-breaking factors.