The NFL has announced a major change to its draft process this week.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league sent a memo to all 32 teams today to inform them that underclassmen will now be allowed to participate in college All-Star games.
The move would hand scouts and draft evaluators a great opportunity to assess the best talent heading up to the pros.
Upperclassmen were the only ones permitted to play in All-Star games, which limited the exposure underclassmen would get. But scouts are now set to have a better understanding of underclassmen as it pertains to their talent.
This change will take effect for the 2024 NFL Draft and will provide younger stars to show off their skill on a national stage while creating a more competitive environment that is closer to the NFL’s product.
The change is also beneficial in that it will create an avenue for underclassmen to receive valuable feedback from the coaches and former NFL players who participate in these games.
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A total of 69 underclassmen declared for the previous draft, none of which were able to suit up for an All-Star Game.
While the new rule doesn’t make it so that they are required to play, it does allow the ones not projected as early-round picks to showcase their talent in front of scouts and boost their chances of joining a team, even if it’s as an undrafted player.
