A simulated National Football League selection process for collegiate players concerning a specific year represents an attempt to predict which athletes professional teams will choose. The exercise typically involves football analysts, journalists, and fans forecasting the order in which prospects will be drafted, often with justifications based on team needs, player evaluations, and anticipated draft strategies. The year specified provides a temporal anchor, grounding the projections in a specific draft class and its attendant circumstances.
The value of such simulations lies in their capacity to generate discussion, provide insight into player potential, and offer a framework for understanding team building strategies. Examining past editions provides historical context for evaluating subsequent draft classes and the accuracy of pre-draft assessments. These exercises serve as a barometer of player value and team priorities leading up to the actual event.