So re. platform and timer: I started writing a rant earlier in the week, but I wanted to add some data to it, and then I'm not sure that the data supported my rant (but also didn't rule it out).
I'm fine with whatever system we want to use and including timed picks, but I'm not entirely sure that's going to address the real problem if we're trying to cut down how long the draft takes. I feel like there is definitely the occasional distracted drafter and occasional over-thinking of a pick that a timer would maybe help with, but I subjectively feel like the bigger problem is when we have someone drafting remotely while doing something else -- having to call in their picks & having to catch up every time. And I'm not trying to call anyone out specifically because it's been multiple different people different years and they have all been for totally fair reasons.
So initial subjective rant over, here's some data I grabbed off the draft board. Like I said, I didn't want to target anyone in particular plus it's kind of a pain in the ass to collect, so I only did round-by-round times, not times for each pick.
(Round 3's first pick was 6:16 - so we also didn't actually start "on time")
Round | First pick | Last Pick | Length |
4 | 6:17 | 6:36 | 0:19 |
5 | 6:38 | 6:51 | 0:13 |
6 | 6:51 | 7:01 | 0:10 |
7 | 7:01 | 7:15 | 0:14 |
8 | 7:16 | 7:30 | 0:14 |
9 | 7:31 | 7:43 | 0:12 |
10 | 7:43 | 7:59 | 0:16 |
11 | 8:00 | 8:20 | 0:20 |
12 | 8:20 | 8:36 | 0:16 |
13 | 8:36 | 8:53 | 0:17 |
14 | 8:54 | 9:12 | 0:18 |
15 | 9:12 | 9:21 | 0:09 |
16 | 9:22 | 9:32 | 0:10 |
17 | 9:32 | 9:41 | 0:09 |
18 | 9:41 | 9:50 | 0:09 |
19 | 9:51 | 9:59 | 0:08 |
So objectively the later rounds are the fastest. The first round and late-middle rounds are the slowest. I'm not really sure what to make of all of that. Mid rounds is when the performance "enhancing" drugs are kicking in? Maybe they are just the hardest to draft?
Getting back to the original point of my rant: if we think it takes too long, that's a fair complaint because it's definitely a marathon. If we want to put timers in, we need to have a specific plan on what happens when you exceed it -- auto pick (if so, who/what picks)? Forfeit pick? Next person is up and you can jump back in on your pick whenever you get your shit together? Do you get any mulligans and if so how many and for how long?
Do we want a defined mid-draft break?
-- otherwise leaving it up to figuring in the moment won't actually save any time. I still subjectively think that presence is part of the problem, but if there are hard and fast rules the people will be more willing to more firmly set their schedule / say no to draft times that don't really work / find an alternate draft plan.
I'm fine with any plan as long as it's a well-defined one, not a "we're going to have a timer but then pause 3 times a round" one. Or I'm fine going for 4 hours since it's just once a year ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Final point: I'd also totally be down to rethinking the starters / bench situation to drop a round or two off the draft. Like, I'm kind of over 2 QB but mostly because I suck at picking QBs; that's one round saved right there!
Josh