OWINGS MILLS, Md. — According to the National Football League over 54 million folks tuned in to observe final yr’s NFL Draft. We can anticipate a quantity much like or greater than that in 2024.
Part of the viewing viewers will likely be these on the present Ravens roster.
“I really like watching the draft, watching the fellows come into the league to lastly get a possibility to see their goals come true,” stated Derrick Henry. Baltimore’s new working again was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2016.
“It’s a enjoyable factor to observe. I keep in mind again after I obtained drafted. It’s an thrilling time and a brand new chapter in guys’ lives, so it’s a fairly particular occasion; I’ll most likely flip it on,” stated middle Tyler Linderbaum. He was drafted twenty fifth total by the Ravens in 2022.
Linebacker Roquan Smith will likely be following alongside.
“I’ll most likely have some alerts on my telephone or one thing. When I used to be a child after which highschool, then my first yr or two within the league, I used to be watching the draft all through – from the primary decide to ‘Mr. Irrelevant.’ So, I used to be a type of sort [of] guys,” he stated.
Watching prospects formally grow to be picks could have Smith considering again to his draft night time in 2018 when he was chosen eighth total by the Chicago Bears. He doesn’t even should jostle his reminiscence. He can simply examine it first-person.
“I’d by no means actually completed it, [but] I used to be journaling out in Dallas all through the draft as a result of I knew it simply was a very particular second and I needed to positively cherish and keep in mind each single second,” stated Smith. “So, I used to be writing the issues down, however having my identify known as, strolling throughout the stage, it felt very surreal.”
As for Henry, it wasn’t a draft night time. It was draft nights. He was picked within the second spherical, forty fifth total eight years in the past.
“It was slightly completely different for me. I had a draft get together on the primary night time, the primary spherical. I didn’t find yourself [getting drafted], so [I] needed to go house and watch [the later rounds] from the sofa. When I lastly obtained that decision, it was a surreal second, a second I’ll always remember, for positive,” he stated.
Every participant’s draft journey is completely different. But they’re at all times unpredictable and memorable.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
