The surprising results of the 2025 NBA Draft lottery have ignited a heated discussion in the NFL world: Should the NFL adopt a draft lottery system?
Many experts, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, are warming to the idea.
“The more I think about it, the more I think the NFL should be in that business,” Schefter said on ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike.
“They don’t want teams to tank. They don’t want teams to lose. We had a couple situations last year where, in the last game of the year, the [New England] Patriots are putting in Joe Milton. I’m not telling you they’re trying to lose, but they certainly don’t want to win.”
Schefter’s comments highlight the ongoing concern about tanking and competitive integrity in the NFL’s current draft order system, which rewards the worst records with the highest picks.
However, not everyone agrees with introducing a lottery.
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who has held top draft picks in three of his four seasons, voiced his opposition during an interview on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams.
“I would not be in favor of that,” Schoen said. “Typically, if you’re picking up there, what’s the most important position for a franchise? (Quarterback). If you’re in that position, you’ve probably earned the right to hopefully get one of those players that can hopefully turn the luck around on the franchise for potentially 15 to 20 years.”
Schoen also reflected on the NBA lottery drama, pointing to Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison’s recent experience.
“I was watching that the other night and I thought that was intriguing to see the percentage chance that Dallas would get the first pick. I put myself in the GM seat after what happened with the trade and everything else and thought, ‘Boy that worked out for him.’” Schoen added.
This was a reference to Harrison’s controversial decision to trade superstar Luka Doncic in February, which led to intense criticism — only for the Mavericks to land the No. 1 pick in the draft despite holding just a 1.8% chance.
The debate remains open as to whether the NFL will follow the NBA’s lead and implement a draft lottery system to discourage tanking, or stick with the traditional worst-record-gets-top-pick model.
What are your thoughts on the debate? … Are you in favor of a lottery system determining draft order???
