Draft Night Tradition and Looking Ahead

 The NFL Draft is one of the events I look forward to the most every year. Even though football season is still months away, the draft gives fans something to be excited about during the spring. It is one of the few major football events that takes place in the offseason, and it always brings anticipation for the upcoming season. For me, it marks the point when football starts to feel close again.

Every year, my friends come over to my house for the first round on Thursday night, and this year was no different. It has become one of our favorite traditions. My roommates and I clean out the garage, set up chairs and make it our draft headquarters for the night. My roommate's dad always smokes queso for everyone, which has become just as much a part of the tradition as the draft itself. We all show up wearing jerseys from our favorite teams, which adds even more energy to the night.

What makes the night even better is the variety of teams everyone supports. Between all of us, we have fans of the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, and Cincinnati Bengals. With so many different fan bases in one place, every pick creates a new reaction. Some people are celebrating while others are frustrated, which makes the entire first round more entertaining.

As a Colts fan, this year felt a little different because we did not have a first-round pick. The team traded that selection in the middle of last season to acquire Sauce Gardner, so Thursday night was mostly about watching and waiting. Even without that first-round selection, I thought the Colts had a strong overall draft. The front office made it clear they wanted to get younger and faster on defense, and they followed through by selecting five defensive players with their first six picks. That approach addressed some major needs and gave fans confidence moving forward. 

The NFL Draft always brings hope for a new season, and this year was no different. Seeing the Colts make smart decisions and fill important needs has me excited for what is ahead. Football may still be months away, but draft weekend always reminds me that the season is getting closer.