Draft day is a fast-paced and critical time for NFL teams. Phones are ringing constantly, discussions occur in war rooms about addressing team needs or staying true to the board and after all the dust settles following two days of non-stop action, a new class of players join the roster in preparation for the following season.
But the whirlwind experience of draft day isn’t limited to each NFL team; the draft picks themselves go through it, too. Some handle the experience differently than others. One player might gather with 100 close friends and family, while another player will huddle in the peace of home with just a few loved ones.
In the weeks leading up to draft-day 2008, vikings.com caught up with a few current Vikings to speak with them about their draft-day experience.
Antoine Winfield – 1999 – First Round (23rd overall) – Buffalo Bills
Experience: “I was in Akron, Ohio, and my family threw a party for me at my grandmother’s house. It was a very exciting day. There weren’t really nerves for me, just anxiousness. I knew I was going in the first round, but I just didn’t know what team.”
Advice: “If you’re not projected to go in the top ten, just go and do something for the first couple hours. I don’t know how long it is in between picks this year, but you don’t know where you’re going to go so don’t get too worked up over it.”
Madieu Williams – 2004 – Second Round – Cincinnati Bengals
Experience: “I really enjoyed the process. I think a lot of it is overwhelming, but I just took it all in stride and tried to just enjoy it. On draft day I was actually at the Maryland spring game, sitting in the stands. I watched the first half of that game and then started driving home. As soon as I walked in the door at home I got a call.”
Advice: “You’re going to get drafted, or at least you’d like to think you’re going to be drafted, so don’t try to predict anything. Just let it all happen because a lot of it is out of your control and you just have to sit back and let it play itself out.”
Erasmus James – 2005 – First Round (18th overall) – Minnesota Vikings
Experience: “We had a whole bunch of people come over - family, friends and people from our church - and we sat there and waited anxiously. I didn’t know where I was going to go or who I was going to go to. But I was excited to hear that a team close to my alma mater (Wisconsin) was going to take me. I was nervous and excited.”
Story: “I was actually in a room alone while everyone was in another room because I wanted to just wait by my phone for a bit. When the Vikings called me and told me they were going to take me with their pick, I came back in the room and my family asked if someone had called. I just told them that I wanted to come back in and watch the TV. So I knew it was coming and then when it was on the TV everyone was excited.”
Sidney Rice – 2007 – Second Round – Minnesota Vikings
Experience: “We were at a restaurant/sports bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, and my family and friends had a section reserved for us. We went up there and watched the draft. I was anxious and had no idea where I was going or what was coming.”
Advice: “Just be patient. It’s a long draft. I know they’ll be sitting and waiting, then moving around. I did the same thing, but just be patient.”
Brian Robison – 2007 – Fourth Round – Minnesota Vikings
Experience: “We just had a bunch of family and friends come over to my house. We just tried to chill out and relax for most of the day, although it was still nerve-racking.”
Advice: “You’ve just got to try and keep your nerves calm. I tried to stay away the TV at the start but then it started getting to me and I had to stick around the TV and watch.”