Top college players should avoid attending the NFL Draft

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Don't get me wrong. I love the National Football League (NFL), but come on. The NFL now is expanding the number of players it invites to the draft in New York on April 24-25 to at least 10, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Apparently they usually invite six players that they think will be top picks, but now they want more players sweating it out in the green room. This is all about television and the NFL, not the players.

I can't help but think about in 2005 when QB Aaron Rodgers was suppose to be a top-10 pick, at worst, and then after every pick, there would be that annoying camera zooming in on his face --he looked like he was going to lose his lunch. Rodgers' downright terrible experience continued until the Green Bay Packers finally rescued him -- with the 24th overall pick, mind you -- and put a slight smile on his face. It was more like a relieved look than anything, he just wanted out of that room.

So the NFL wants to invite at least 10, including players with compelling stories? Are you serious? You need these kids live at the draft to get their story out there? What about doing a feature or profile on one or more of these players before the draft and then air it during the draft to break up the dead air when Mel Kiper's birds nest hair piece steals valuable minutes away from the athletes who will be experiencing one of their best days of their lives.

But no, there will be at least one defenseless player -- and it could be more since the draft is so unpredictable -- who will be stuck in the green room with his family and be tortured by those relentless cameras. It's like the Alligator Man at the carnival, everyone wants to see him, but imagine what's going through Mr. Alligator's mind when everyone's laughing at him.

I love the draft probably more than most, but watching a player in the green room and then when he comes out to shake commissioner Roger Goodell's hand and puts on the hat and holds the jersey of the team that drafted him is not the most exciting part of the day for me. It's just hearing the announcement of who your favorite team selected, that's where the rush of a fan comes into play.

Plus, in New York, even if you're taken by the Jets, that guy is going to get booed right off the stage, anyway. Have they ever liked one of their picks?

Attention players: Stay home and enjoy this experience with your family and don't be subjected to the torture the NFL Draft inflicts on you if you're not selected in the top 10 of the draft. 

The wait in the green room doesn't appear to be as fun as waiting to get on a ride at Disney, does it? 

Also, don't get laughed at like the Alligator Man does.