How Expectations Can Create Perceptions on Draft Day

You might think that your emotions do not come into play during a draft but you would be wrong. Almost all human decisions are affected in some way by our emotions. Our expectations of certain players affects our perceptions of them. These often unconscious biases have a tremendous impact on our decisions. Are you aware of the reasons why you like certain players more than others? is it based on hard data and statistics? Or is it just based on a gut feeling?

Take the Lions RB Kevin Smith for example. How do you evaluate him for this season? He is perceived by many as a an injury plagued guy who can't stay on the field. Do you expect him to be a bust? If you consider his tremendous upside in one of the league's best offenses you'll find it easy to make a case for drafting him in the late rounds. Jahvid Best is a concussion away from retirement and Mikel Leshoure is not even playing the first two weeks. Focus on the data and circumstances and don't let your expectations create perceptions that will cloud your thinking. You have to "see" what other guys don't see to get an edge on draft day.