Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton thinks the NFL Draft could take a radical shift in the future.
Talking with Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd, Payton predicted that the NFL Draft could move to the NBA’s lottery system in the future to prevent teams from tanking.
Payton mentioned USC quarterback Caleb Williams as the type of player that could prompt a team to tank. The reigning Heisman winner will likely declare for the 2024 NFL Draft as its top prospect.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t rule out the possibility for a format change when asked in April.
“The Competition Committee talks about it on a I would say a regular basis,” Goodell said (via CBS Sports). “I haven’t heard it in the last couple years, but I never say never about any of those things. It may come a time where we think it’s appropriate.”
However, Goodell clarified that he felt the current system “works really well the way it does.” He added that he doesn’t think the league’s teams ever engage in tanking for draft status.
Payton differed a bit with Goodell’s assessment. He recalled with Cowherd that he felt the Tampa Bay Buccaneers engaged in a bit of tanking to secure the 2015 NFL Draft’s top pick for quarterback Jameis Winston.
The former Saints coach could find himself assessing the 2023 NFL Draft class for a new team. He’s reportedly angling for a return to the sideline.
